Upper Limb Anatomy Quiz

Study Notes

Upper Limb Anatomy

Bones: The upper limb has 32 bones. Clavicle (collarbone), scapula (shoulder blade), humerus (arm bone), radius and ulna (forearm bones), carpals (wrist bones), metacarpals (hand bones), and phalanges (finger bones). Fingers are counted from lateral to medial.
Arm Bones: The humerus is the main bone of the arm
Forearm Bones: The radius and ulna are the main bones in the forearm. Radius is located laterally. Ulna is located medially.
Wrist/Hand: Includes 8 carpal, 5 metacarpal, and 14 phalangeal bones.
Joints: The upper limb has various joints, including the sternoclavicular joint (connecting the clavicle to the sternum), the acromioclavicular joint (between the clavicle and scapula), the shoulder joint (glenohumeral joint), the elbow joint (humeroradial and humeroulnar joints), the wrist joint (radiocarpal), and the carpals (intercarpal), metacarpophalangeal (MCP), and interphalangeal (IP) joints.
Shoulder Joint: Superior and proxinal radioulnar joints, middle joint ,inferior or distal radioulnar joint
Muscles: The muscles responsible for movement of the upper limb are located in regions like the shoulder and pectoral region.
- Shoulder Region: Trapezius, Latissimus dorsi, Levator scapulae, Rhomboid major, Rhomboid minor, Deltoid, Teres major, Teres minor, Supraspinatus, Infraspinatus, and Subscapularis.
- Pectoral Region: Pectoralis major, Pectoralis minor, Subclavius, and Serratus anterior.
- Arm: Biceps brachii, Brachialis, Coracobrachialis, Triceps brachii (posterior)
- Forearm: Pronator teres, Brachioradialis, Anconeus, Supinator, Flexor digitorum profundus, Extensor carpi radialis longus, and Extensor carpi radialis brevis.
- Hand: Lumbricals (responsible for finger movement)
Arteries: The subclavian artery branches into the axillary artery, which branches into the brachial artery. This further divides into the radial and ulnar arteries. Branches include: transverse cervical, suprascapular, and internal thoracic arteries.
Veins: Veins, including the subclavian veins, axillary veins, and other veins in the upper limb.
Lymphatics: Lymphatic drainage of the upper limb involves the axillary lymph nodes, parasternal and diaphragmatic lymph nodes.
Nerves: The brachial plexus provides nerves to the upper limb muscles. Nerves include axillary, radial, median, ulnar, and musculocutaneous. These nerves stem from the spinal cord to form the plexus. The spinal cord C nerve regions and T nerve regions provide the nerves to the upper limb.