Anatomía del Miembro Superior

Upper Limb Anatomy

The upper limb, also known as the arm, is a functional unit of the upper body that extends from the shoulder joint to the fingers. It consists of three main sections: the upper arm, forearm, and hand. The upper limb contains 30 bones, numerous nerves, blood vessels, and muscles. The nerves of the arm are supplied by the brachial plexus, while the blood supply is primarily from the axillary artery and its branches.

Shoulder Anatomy

The shoulder is the attachment point of the upper limb to the trunk and is primarily supported by the glenohumeral joint, which is formed by the humerus, scapula, and clavicle. The humerus, a long bone of the upper arm, is the main bone of the shoulder. The rotator cuff muscles, which are deep muscles of the shoulder, include the supraspinatus, infraspinatus, teres minor, and subscapularis, and are crucial for the stability and mobility of the shoulder joint.

Arm Muscles

The arm muscles can be divided into two main compartments: anterior and posterior. The anterior compartment contains muscles such as the coracobrachialis, brachialis, and biceps brachii, which are involved in flexion of the forearm and elbow. The posterior compartment contains the triceps brachii, which extends the forearm at the elbow joint.

Forearm Bones

The forearm is composed of two bones: the radius and ulna. The radius is the larger bone and is located on the thumb side of the forearm. The ulna, the smaller bone, is located on the pinky side of the forearm. These bones work together to allow for pronation and supination of the forearm.

Hand Nerves

The nerves of the hand include the radial, ulnar, and median nerves. These nerves provide sensation and motor function to the hand, allowing for fine motor control and muscle contraction.

Blood Supply to the Upper Limb

The blood supply to the upper limb is primarily from the axillary artery and its branches, including the brachial artery, which supplies the anterior compartment of the arm, and the profunda brachii, which supplies the posterior compartment. The radial artery supplies the lateral forearm, and the ulnar artery is responsible for the medial aspect of the forearm. Beyond the wrist, the radial and ulnar arteries form the superficial and deep palmar arterial arches, which provide blood to the hand.

In conclusion, the upper limb is a complex structure composed of bones, muscles, nerves, and blood vessels. Understanding the anatomy of the upper limb is crucial for physicians in identifying and treating injuries or disorders, and for individuals to perform daily tasks and maintain optimal health.

Este quiz explora la anatomía del miembro superior, desde la articulación del hombro hasta los dedos de la mano. Aprende sobre los músculos, huesos, nervios y vasos sanguíneos que componen esta compleja estructura y su función en la estabilidad y movilidad del miembro superior.