What term describes areas of the body where bone lies close to the skin?

• A. Joints
• B. Muscles
• C. Bony prominences
• D. Tendons

Answer: (C)

Areas where bone lies close to the skin are called bony prominences. This term describes spots where the bone is near the surface with little soft tissue padding, making them especially vulnerable to pressure injuries when a person sits or lies for long periods. Examples include the heels, sacrum, hips, elbows, spine, and back of the head. Joints are where bones meet; muscles are soft tissue; tendons connect muscle to bone. None of those describe the proximity of bone to the skin, so the best fit is bony prominences.