Anatomy of the Upper Limb Quiz

The upper limb consists of four segments: the shoulder, arm, forearm, and hand.

Most bones in the upper limb are long bones, except for the scapula and carpal bones. The scapula is a flat bone, carpals are short bones, and the clavicle is a modified long bone.

The brachial plexus is a network of nerves that supply the upper limb. It is formed by roots, trunks, divisions, cords, and terminal branches.

Five major nerves supply the upper limb: axillary, radial, musculocutaneous, ulnar, and median. These nerves are branches of the brachial plexus.

Synovial joints are characterized by a joint capsule, synovial membrane, and articular cartilage. They allow for movement between bones.

The artery supplying blood to the arm from the armpit to the elbow.

Artery in the forearm that runs along the lateral (thumb) side of the forearm.

Artery in the forearm that runs along the medial (little finger) side of the forearm.

A network of blood vessels in the palm of the hand.

Blood vessels that carry blood from the hand and forearm back to the heart, located closer to the surface of the skin.

The junction between two or more bones, allowing for movement and stability.

A type of joint that allows for extensive movement. It has a fluid-filled cavity and a capsule.

Strong bands of connective tissue that connect bones to other bones.

The smooth layer of cartilage that covers the ends of bones within a joint. Reduces friction and allows smooth movement.

The fluid found inside the synovial cavity. It lubricates the joint, reduces friction, and provides nutrients.

The outermost layer of a synovial joint. It encloses the joint and holds the synovial fluid.

The elbow joint is a hinge joint with two articulations: between the humerus and ulna (humero-ulnar) and between the humerus and radius (humeroradial).

The wrist joint consists of the radius, scaphoid, lunate, and triquetrum bones. It allows for movement in many directions.

The superficial palmar venous arch is a network of veins located in the palm of the hand. It drains the skin and fascia of the upper limb.

The deep palmar venous arch is a network of veins located deep within the palm of the hand. It drains the muscles and bones of the hand.

The lymphatic system is a network of vessels that collect and filter interstitial fluid, it's not directly connected to the veins.

Axillary lymph nodes are located in your armpit. They drain lymph from the arm, chest, and upper back.

The clavicle, or collarbone, transmits part of the weight of the upper limb to the axial skeleton.

The spinal accessory nerve (CN XI) is a cranial nerve that controls the movement of the neck and shoulders. It has two parts: the descending part, controlling the trapezius muscle, and the ascending part, controlling the sternocleidomastoid muscle.

The Levator Scapulae muscle helps to elevate the scapula (shoulder blade). It originates from the transverse processes of the first four cervical vertebrae (C1-C4) and inserts on the medial border of the scapula.

The Rhomboid Minor muscle helps to elevate and retract the scapula (shoulder blade). It originates from the lower end of the ligamentum nuchae and the spinous processes of C7 and T1 vertebrae and inserts on the medial border of the scapula.

The Rhomboid Major muscle helps to retract the scapula and rotate it inferiorly. It originates from the spinous processes of T2-T5 vertebrae and inserts on the medial border of the scapula.

The Sternoclavicular joint connects the sternum (breastbone) to the clavicle (collarbone). It's a synovial joint, allowing for movement between these bones.

The Acromioclavicular joint connects the acromion process of the scapula (shoulder blade) to the clavicle (collarbone). It's a synovial joint, allowing for movement between these bones.

The Glenohumeral joint, also known as the shoulder joint, is a ball and socket joint, allowing for a wide range of movement. It connects the humerus (upper arm bone) to the glenoid cavity of the scapula (shoulder blade).

The Glenoid labrum is a fibrocartilaginous ring that deepens and expands the shallow glenoid cavity of the scapula (shoulder blade). It helps to stabilize the shoulder joint.

A ligament in the shoulder joint that helps to stabilize the humerus in the glenoid fossa. It is part of the rotator cuff.

The movement that brings the arm forward towards the body. It is performed by muscles like the pectoralis major, deltoid, and bicep.

The movement that brings the arm backward away from the body. It is performed by muscles like the posterior deltoid, teres major, and latissimus dorsi.

The movement that raises the arm away from the body, up towards the ceiling. It is performed by muscles like the supraspinatus and deltoid.

The movement that brings the arm towards the body from a raised position. It is performed by muscles like the pectoralis major, latissimus dorsi, and teres major.

The movement that rotates the arm inwards, so the palm faces the body. It is performed by muscles like the subscapularis, pectoralis major, and latissimus dorsi.

The movement that rotates the arm outwards, so the palm faces away from the body.

A group of four muscles that surround the shoulder joint and help to stabilize it. These muscles are the supraspinatus, infraspinatus, teres minor, and subscapularis.