Upper Limb Anatomy and Osteology Quiz

Upper Limb Anatomy

• The shoulder is the proximal part of the upper limb, overlapping the thorax, back, and lower lateral neck.
• The arm (brachium) extends between the shoulder and elbow.
• The forearm (antebrachium) extends between the elbow and wrist.
• The hand (manus) is distal to the forearm, comprised of carpus, metacarpus, and phalanges.

Osteology and Joints of the Upper Limb

• The upper limb has three main bones: humerus, scapula, and clavicle.
• The glenohumeral joint connects the humerus to the scapula.
• The acromioclavicular joint connects the clavicle to the acromion of the scapula.
• The sternoclavicular joint connects the clavicle to the sternum.
• The scapulothoracic articulation describes the movement of the scapula against the thorax.

Humerus

• The humerus is a long bone in the arm.
• Key structures include the head, anatomical neck, surgical neck, greater tubercle, lesser tubercle, intertubercular groove, and deltoid tuberosity.
• It has a shaft, and the lower end contains two condyles, trochlea, and capitulum.

Scapula

• The scapula is a flat, triangular bone.
• It has specific regions including glenoid fossa, acromion, coracoid process, subscapular fossa, supraspinatus fossa, infraspinatus fossa, and the great and suprascapular notches.
• The scapula's crucial role is joining with the humerus to form the glenohumeral joint.

Clavicle

• The clavicle (collarbone) is a long, slender, S-shaped bone.
• It's positioned horizontally between the sternum and the acromion of the scapula.
• Features include the sternal and acromial ends, conoid and trapezoid tubercles, and subclavian groove.

Bones of the Hand

• The hand has carpals (8 small bones), metacarpals (5 bones forming the palm), and phalanges (14 bones forming the fingers).
• The carpal bones are arranged in two rows (proximal and distal).

Upper Limb Joints

• Sternoclavicular Joint: A synovial, saddle-type joint that connects the clavicle to the sternum.
• Acromioclavicular Joint: A synovial plane joint joining the clavicle and acromion.
• Glenohumeral Joint (Shoulder): A multiaxial ball-and-socket joint, allowing a wide range of motion. Essential structures include the glenoid fossa, labrum, and the shoulder capsule.

Elbow Joint

• The elbow joint is the combination of three articulations (humeroulnar, humeroradial, and radioulnar).
• The humeroulnar joint is the synovial hinge joint, which the trochlea of the humerus and trochlear notch on the ulna articulate to establish.
• The humeroradial joint occurs between the capitulum of the humerus and the radius' head aspect.
• The radioulnar joint is a pivot joint.

Radiocarpal (Wrist) Joint

• The wrist joint, also known as the radiocarpal joint, is a complex joint involving multiple bones (radius, carpal bones, metacarpals).
• It permits a wide range of motions (flexion, extension, ulnar/radial deviation).
• Key structures are the articular disk and multiple surrounding ligaments (e.g., palmar and dorsal radiocarpal ligaments).

Distal Radioulnar Joint

• The distal part of the radius and ulna form a pivot joint at the wrist.
• This joint enables pronation and supination of the forearm.

Bursae of Joints

• Bursae are fluid-filled sacs that alleviate friction around joints.
• Important bursae found in or around various upper limb joints.

Test your knowledge on upper limb anatomy, including the shoulder, arm, forearm, and hand. Explore the osteology and joints involved in upper limb movement, focusing on key bones like the humerus, scapula, and clavicle. This quiz will enhance your understanding of human anatomy.