What is the name for a shallow depression in a bone?

A shallow depression in a bone is referred to as a fossa. This term is often used in anatomy to describe a concave or hollow area in a bone that may serve multiple functions, such as accommodating other bones, housing organs, or providing surfaces for muscle attachment. Fossae can vary in shape and size, contributing to the overall morphology and function of the skeletal system. Understanding the structural terminology, including terms like fossa, is essential for studying bone anatomy and various physiological processes.

Fovea typically refers to a small pit or depression, often used in specific contexts such as the fovea centralis in the retina, which is not synonymous with a general term for a bone depression. Groove generally describes a more elongated indentation that serves as a pathway for vessels or nerves, while cavity refers to a hollow space within a structure, but usually implies a larger area than a shallow depression. Thus, the most precise term for a shallow depression in a bone is fossa.