Upper Limb Anatomy Quiz

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Questions and Answers

Which nerve is responsible for the innervation of the majority of the posterior muscles of the upper limb?

Radial nerve (correct)

Ulnar nerve

Musculocutaneous nerve

Median nerve

What is the main structural composition of synovial joints?

Cartilage and ligaments

Articular cartilage and synovial membrane (correct)

Fibrous tissue

Muscle and connective tissue

Which type of joint is characterized as being the most mobile?

Cartilaginous joint

Synovial joint (correct)

Pivot joint

Fibrous joint

Which bone is not classified as a long bone in the upper limb?

Scapula Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of synovial fluid in a synovial joint?

Lubricates and nourishes articular cartilage Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a function of the brachial plexus?

Provide nerve supply to the upper limb Signup and view all the answers

Which joint is classified as a synovial joint?

Shoulder joint Signup and view all the answers

Which muscle-related nerve connects primarily to the muscles of the arm?

Musculocutaneous nerve Signup and view all the answers

What type of joint is the elbow classified as?

Hinge joint Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the primary components of the pectoral region's musculature?

Pectoralis major muscle Signup and view all the answers

Which joint connects the radius to the scaphoid, lunate, and triquetrum?

Wrist joint (Radiocarpal joint) Signup and view all the answers

Which artery is primarily responsible for supplying blood to the forearm?

Radial artery Signup and view all the answers

What type of veins are the cephalic and basilic veins categorized as?

Superficial veins Signup and view all the answers

Which component plays a crucial role in the lymphatic drainage of the upper limb?

Cubital lymph nodes Signup and view all the answers

The deep venous system primarily drains which structures of the upper limb?

Muscles and bones Signup and view all the answers

What is the main function of the clavicle in the upper limb?

Transmits part of the weight of the upper limb to the axial skeleton Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following arches is NOT involved in the superficial venous drainage of the upper limb?

Deep palmar venous arch Signup and view all the answers

Which arteries branch off from the subclavian artery?

Axillary and brachial arteries Signup and view all the answers

What type of joint is formed by the connection between the metacarpals and the phalanges?

Metacarpophalangeal joint Signup and view all the answers

What type of joint is the glenohumeral joint classified as?

Ball-and-socket joint Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following movements is primarily facilitated by the supraspinatus muscle?

Abduction Signup and view all the answers

Which ligament is NOT associated with the glenohumeral joint?

Tibiofemoral ligament Signup and view all the answers

Which condition is characterized by adhesive fibrosis and scarring at the glenohumeral joint?

Frozen shoulder Signup and view all the answers

Which muscle is involved in both medial and lateral rotation of the shoulder?

All of the above Signup and view all the answers

What is a common result of rotator cuff injuries during repetitive upper limb use?

Recurrent inflammation Signup and view all the answers

What anatomical feature deepens the glenoid cavity of the scapula?

Glenoid labrum Signup and view all the answers

Which nerve is commonly affected during a dislocation of the shoulder joint?

Axillary nerve Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following movements does NOT primarily involve the posterior fibers of the deltoid?

Flexion Signup and view all the answers

What contributes to the laxity and potential dislocation of the shoulder joint?

Laxity of the ligaments Signup and view all the answers

Which muscle originates from the subscapular fossa?

Subscapularis Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary action of the pectoralis major muscle?

Flexion and medial rotation of the humerus Signup and view all the answers

Which nerve innervates the deltoid muscle?

Axillary nerve Signup and view all the answers

Which muscle acts to depress the shoulder and protract the scapula?

Pectoralis minor Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of the teres minor muscle?

Adducts and laterally rotates the arm Signup and view all the answers

Which joint does the medial end of the clavicle articulate with?

Sternoclavicular joint Signup and view all the answers

What is the origin of the serratus anterior muscle?

External surfaces of 1st–8th ribs Signup and view all the answers

Which muscle has a function of retracting the scapula?

Trapezius Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of the infraspinatus muscle?

Laterally rotates the arm Signup and view all the answers

Which part of the deltoid muscle flexes and medially rotates the arm?

Clavicular part Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Bones of the Upper Limb

Most of the bones in the upper limb are long bones, excluding the scapula and carpal bones.

Nerves

The main nerves of the upper limb are branches of the brachial plexus.
The brachial plexus is a network of nerves that originates from the spinal cord and supplies the upper limb.
Major nerves arising from the brachial plexus include: axillary, radial, musculocutaneous, ulnar, and median nerves, which innervate various muscles in the upper limb.

Joints

Joints are where two or more bones connect.
Types of joints include synovial, fibrous and cartilaginous joints.
Synovial joints: Freely mobile joints, encased in a capsule. Examples are the shoulder and knee joints.
Fibrous joints: Less mobile, with bone ends connected by fibrous tissue. Examples include sutures.
Cartilaginous joints: Bone ends are united by cartilage. Primary cartilaginous joints lack movement, while secondary cartilaginous joints exhibit limited movement.

Components of a Synovial Joint

Bones: Provide the framework for the joint.
Articular cartilage: Smooth, protective layer covering bone ends.
Synovial cavity: Space between the bone ends filled with synovial fluid.
Synovial fluid: Lubricates the joint and provides nutrients to the cartilage.
Synovial membrane: Inner lining of the joint capsule, producing synovial fluid.
Capsule: Fibrous membrane that encloses the joint, providing stability.

Joints of the Upper Limb

Sternoclavicular joint: Connects the clavicle to the sternum.
Acromioclavicular joint: Connects the clavicle to the acromion process of the scapula.
Shoulder joint (Glenohumeral joint): Connects the humerus to the scapula.
Elbow joint: Connects the humerus to the ulna and radius, consisting of two articulations: humero-ulnar and humeroradial joints.
Wrist joint (Radiocarpal joint): Connects the radius to the carpal bones (scaphoid, lunate, triquetrum).
Carpometacarpal joint: Connects the carpal bones to the metacarpal bones.
Metacarpophalangeal joint: Connects the metacarpal bones to the phalanges.
Proximal and distal interphalangeal joint: Connects the phalanges within the fingers.

Blood Supply

Arteries: Arteries carry oxygenated blood to the upper limb.
Key arteries include the subclavian, axillary, brachial, radial, and ulnar arteries.
The superficial and deep palmar arches supply the hand.
Veins: Veins return deoxygenated blood from the upper limb to the heart.
Superficial veins drain the skin and fascia of the upper limb. These include the cephalic, basilic, and median cubital veins.
Deep veins drain muscles and bones. These include the subclavian, axillary, brachial, radial, and ulnar veins.

Lymphatic Drainage

The lymphatic system carries lymph fluid, which helps to drain interstitial fluid and fight infection.
Lymphatic drainage of the upper limb primarily flows to the axillary lymph nodes, with additional drainage to the cubital lymph nodes.

Bones of the Clavicle

The clavicle connects the upper limb to the axial skeleton.
It transmits weight from the upper limb to the axial skeleton.
The lateral or acromial end of the clavicle articulates with the acromion process of the scapula.
The medial or sternal end of the clavicle articulates with the manubrium of the sternum.

Scapula

Provides attachment for several muscles and helps to facilitate shoulder movement.

Humerus

The humerus is the long bone of the arm.
Its upper end articulates with the glenoid cavity of the scapula at the shoulder joint.
Its lower end articulates with the ulna and radius at the elbow joint.

Muscles of the Upper Limb

Pectoral Region

Pectoralis major: Adducts, medially rotates, and flexes the humerus at the shoulder joint.
Pectoralis minor: Depresses the tip of the shoulder and protracts (pulls forward) the scapula.
Serratus anterior: Protracts the scapula and holds it against the thoracic wall (chest).

Scapulohumeral Muscles (Intrinsic Shoulder Muscles) - Rotator Cuff Muscles

These muscles encompass the subscapularis, supraspinatus, infraspinatus, and teres minor.
Primarily responsible for joint stability and assisting with humerus movement.

Muscles of the Scapula (Extrinsic Shoulder Muscles)

These muscles play a role in moving the scapula and include:
Rhomboids: Retract and elevate the scapula.
Trapezius: Elevates, depresses, and retracts the scapula.
Pectoralis minor: Depresses and protracts the scapula.
Serratus anterior: Protracts and stabilizes the scapula.
Levator scapulae: Elevates the scapula.

Subscapularis

One of the rotator cuff muscles.

Muscles of the Scapula - Rotator Cuff

Key Facts: Muscles originating from the scapula with insertions on the humerus that help move the humerus.
Muscle | Proximal Attachment (Origin) | Distal Attachment (Insertion) | Nerve Supply | Action
Subscapularis | Subscapular fossa | Lesser tubercle of humerus | Upper and lower subscapular nerves | Medially rotates arm, helps to hold head of humerus in the glenoid cavity.
Supraspinatus | Supraspinous fossa of scapula | Greater tubercle of humerus | Suprascapular nerve | Abducts the arm.
Infraspinatus | Infraspinous fossa of scapula | Greater tubercle of humerus | Suprascapular nerve | Laterally rotates the arm.
Teres minor | Middle part of the lateral border of scapula | Greater tubercle of humerus| Axillary nerve | Adducts and laterally rotates the arm.

Deltoid

A large, triangular muscle covering the shoulder joint.
Origin: Lateral third of clavicle, acromion, and spine of scapula.
Insertion: Deltoid tuberosity of humerus.
Nerve supply: Axillary nerve.
Action: Clavicular part flexes and medially rotates the arm. Acromial part abducts the arm. Spinal part extends and laterally rotates the arm.

Axillary Nerve

A branch of the posterior cord of the brachial plexus.
Supplies the deltoid and teres minor muscles.

Trapezius

A large muscle that covers the back of the neck and upper back.
Origin: Medial third of superior nuchal line, external occipital protuberance, nuchal ligament, spinous processes of C7-T12 vertebrae.
Insertion: Lateral third of clavicle, acromion, and spine of the scapula.
Nerve supply: Spinal accessory nerve.
Action: Descending part elevates the scapula. Ascending part depresses the scapula. Middle part retracts (pulls back) the scapula.

Muscles of the Scapula - Move Scapula

Muscle | Proximal Attachments (Origin) | Distal Attachment (Insertion) | Nerve Supply | Action
Levator scapulae | Transverse processes of C1-C4 vertebrae | Posterior surface of medial border of scapula | Dorsal scapular nerve | Elevates the scapula.
Rhomboid minor | Lower end of ligamentum nuchae and spinous processes of C7 and T1 vertebrae | Posterior surface of medial border of scapula | Dorsal scapular nerve | Elevates and retracts the scapula.
Rhomboid major | Spinous processes of T2-T5 vertebrae | Posterior surface of medial border of scapula | Dorsal scapular nerve | Retracts the scapula and rotates its glenoid cavity inferiorly; fixes the scapula to the thoracic wall.

Glenohumeral (Shoulder) Joint

A ball-and-socket type of synovial joint.
A multiaxial joint allowing a wide range of movements.
Key features: Large, round humeral head fits into the shallow glenoid cavity of the scapula. The glenoid cavity is deepened by a fibrocartilaginous rim called the glenoid labrum.

Ligaments

Fibrous capsule: Encases the joint.
Glenohumeral ligaments: Superior, middle, and inferior ligaments that increase shoulder stability.
Glenoidal labrum: Deepens the glenoid cavity.
Coracohumeral ligament: Connects the coracoid process to the humerus, helps stabilize the joint.
Transverse humeral ligament: Connects the greater and lesser tubercles of the humerus, helps hold the biceps tendon in place.

Movements of the Shoulder Joint - Flexion: Pectoralis major, anterior fibers of the deltoid, assisted by coracobrachialis and biceps brachii. - Extension: Posterior fibers of the deltoid, teres major. From full flexion, extension is primarily by latissimus dorsi. - Abduction: Supraspinatus, deltoid. - Adduction: Anterior and posterior fibers of the deltoid, pectoralis major, teres major, latissimus dorsi, coracobrachialis, and long head of triceps. - Medial (internal) rotation: Subscapularis, pectoralis major, deltoid (clavicular part), latissimus dorsi, teres major. - Lateral (external) rotation: Infraspinatus, teres minor, deltoid (spinal part).

Applied Anatomy

Dislocation of Shoulder Joint: Often occurs due to laxity of ligaments and the incongruent articular surfaces (humeral head and glenoid cavity). Can affect the axillary nerve.
Rotator Cuff Injuries: Can occur with repetitive overhead activities, leading to inflammation and tears, especially of the supraspinatus tendon. Often a cause of shoulder pain.
Frozen shoulder (Adhesive capsulitis): This involves chronic inflammation and scarring of the glenohumeral joint capsule, affecting the rotator cuff, subacromial bursa, and deltoid muscle resulting in pain and stiffness.

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Description

Test your knowledge about the bones, nerves, and joints of the upper limb. This quiz covers key concepts regarding the structure and function of the upper limb, including the different types of joints and the brachial plexus. Enhance your understanding of upper limb anatomy!