Humerus

Shape: Long cylindrical bone

Location: Proximal end of the forelimb
Direction: Obliquely downwards and backwards
Relation: It articulates with the scapula above and radius and ulna below. It forms shoulder joint
above with the scapula and elbow joint below with radius and ulna.
Composition: It consists of a shaft and two extremities.
1) Shaft: It is twisted, cylindrical and presents 4 surfaces.
a. Anterior surface: It is triangular, wide and smooth above and narrow below. It bears
muscular imprints in its middle and distal parts.
b. Posterior surface: It is rounded and smooth, and blends with the lateral surface. Nutrient
foramen is present at middle of the distal third of this surface.
c. Medial surface: It is rounded, nearly straight and blends with the anterior and posterior
surfaces. At the middle, the teres tubercle is present for the insertion of teres major
muscle.
d. Lateral surface: It is spiral, smooth and presents a musculo - spiral groove, which
lodges brachialis muscle. Lateral surface is separated from the anterior surface by the
deltoid ridge. At the middle of the ridge, there is a prominence termed deltoid tuberosity
to which deltoid muscle is inserted.
2) Two extremities (proximal and distal)
a. Proximal extremity: It is large and is composed of head, neck, two tuberosities and a
groove.
i. Head: It is large, rounded, convex and articulates with the glenoid cavity of the
scapula.
ii. Neck: It is the constricted part just below the head.
iii. Tuberosity: the two tuberosities, lateral and medial, are separated by inter-
tuberal groove.
• The lateral tuberosity is large and prominent and rises above the head of
humerus. It is situated on the antero-external part of the head and is divided
into summit and convexity. The summit forms the outer boundary of the
bicipital groove and overhangs it. Below and external to summit is a large,
circular rough area, for the insertion of infraspinatus muscle.
• The medial tuberosity is much smaller and is divided into two parts-
anterior and posterior.
iv. Groove
• Inter-tuberal (Bicipital) groove give passage to the tendon of biceps
muscle.
b. Distal extremity:
• It consists of condyles, epicondyles, olecranon fossa and radial fossa.
i. Condyles
• It is articular and is divided into two condyles – medial (trochlea) and lateral
(capitulum), by an antero-posterior ridge.
a. Lateral condyle: The lateral condyle is smaller and is placed lower, which
gives this extremity an oblique appearance.
b. Medial condyle: The medial condyle is larger than lateral and is traversed
by an antero-posterior groove. This groove extends cranially to the radial
fossa and caudally to the olecranon fossa. This groove articulates with the
semilunar notch of the ulna posteriorly.

ii. Epicondyles
• The medial and lateral epicondyles are small projections from the concerned
condyles and gives origin to the flexor and extensor muscles respectively.

iii. Fossa
• The anteriorly situated radial fossa receives the coronoid process of radius during
flexion and posteriorly situated olecranon fossa receives the olecranon (anconeal)
process of ulna during extension of joint.
Comparative anatomy of humerus
1. Horse
• Deltoid tuberosity is very prominent.
• Musculo-spiral groove is more deep and more twisted.
• Bicipital groove is again divided by a ridge.
• Summit of the lateral tuberosity is not high and does not overhang the bicipital
groove.
• Head is smaller, neck is less distinct.
• Nutrient foramen is situated on the distal third of the medial surface.

2. Pig
• Both proximal and distal ends are inclined.
• Musculo-spiral groove is shallow.
• Supra-trochlear foramen may be present.
3. Dog
• Comparatively more long and less twisted.
• Head is rounded and is more convex.
• Radial (coronoid) fossa and olecranon fossa are communicated by a large
supratrochlear foramen.
• Deltoid tuberosity is ridge like.
• Lateral tuberosity is single and bicipital groove is undivided.
• Musculo-spiral groove is not prominent.
• Nutrient foramen is placed on posterior surface.
4. Rabbit
• Head is elongated.
• Deltoid tuberosity is in the form of a ridge.
• Musculo-spiral groove is shallow.
• Supra-trochlear foramen is present.
5. Fowl

• Proximally, this bone articulates with scapula and coracoid.

• Pneumatic foramen is situated medially below the head.
• Body is less twisted.
• Head is oval in form.