Which term describes a shallow depression on bones?

The term that describes a shallow depression on bones is "fossa." A fossa is a general anatomical term used to indicate a concave or hollowed-out area on a bone, which can serve various functions, including providing a site for muscle attachment or articulating with another bone. This feature can be found in many parts of the skeleton, such as the shoulder blade and the base of the skull.

In contrast, a crest refers to a raised or elevated area on a bone, often where muscles or ligaments attach. A process is a projection or extension of a bone, like a protruding part that serves different purposes, including articulation or muscle attachment. A condyle is a rounded, usually smooth area at the end of a bone that articulates with another bone, commonly found in joints. Collectively, these terms represent different types of bone morphology, but a fossa specifically denotes a shallow depression.