Palpation of Bony Reference Points

The hardest connective tissue in the human body is formed by the bones. They provide support and stability and provide the origins and attachments for the skeletal muscles and thus the connection to the active musculoskeletal system. This chapter explains the procedure for palpating and delineating palpable bony reference points. Precise grip technique plays a crucial role in examining the regions of the pelvis, lower and upper extremities and the spine or head. Pictures and instructional videos help to locate the reference points more quickly and accurately. In addition to direct pressure on bony structures, the measure of mobilisation is often a good variant to delineate smaller bones from surrounding tissues.