Bones of Upper Limb

Clavicle
First to start its ossification and last to
complete it.

No medullary cavity

Develops in membrane

Common site of fracture is the junction of

its medial two-thirds and lateral one-third.
 Clavicle
Has 3 functions :
To transmit forces from the upper limb
to axial skeleton
To act as strut holding the arm free
from trunk, to hang
To provide attachment for muscles
 Clavicle
Sternal end - Articulates sternum
(manubrium)

Acromial end - Articulates scapula

Scapula
 Scapula
Structure (triangle; three sides and angles)
Acromionanterior projection of spine; articulation with
clavicle
Coracoid processanterior projection of superior scapular
border; anchors bicep muscle
Glenoid cavityarticulates with humerous
Suprascapular notchnerve passage
Superior, lateral and inferior angle
Spineposterior surface
Infraspinous, supraspinous and subscapular fossashallow
depressions
Superior, medial and lateral borders
Humerus
Humerus
 Humerus
a. Head
b. Anatomical neck
c. Greater and lesser tubercles
i. Separated by intertubercle groove
d. Surgical neck (most likely site of fracture)
e. Deltoid tuberosity
i. Attachment site of deltoid muscle
f. Radial groove - mid shaft of humerus
i. Course of radial nerve
g. Condyles
i. Trochlea (medial): articulates with ulna
ii. Capitulum: articulates with radius
 Humerus
Surgical neck axillary nerve (&
circumflex vessels)
Radial / spiral groove radial nerve (&
profunda brachii vessels)
Distal end of humerus median nerve
Medial epicondyle ulnar nerve
 Radius and Ulna
a. Two parallel long bones: ulna and
radius
b. Articulations
i. Proximal: humerus
ii. Distal: bones of wrist
iii. Radioulnar joints: radius
and ulna both proximally and distally
Radius and Ulna
 Radius and Ulna
Ulna: forms elbow joint with humerus; wide at proximal end, narrow at
distal
a. Olecranon and coronoid processes
i. Grip trochlea of humerus to form a stable hinge joint
ii. At full extension, olecranon process locks to prevent
hyperextension
b. Radial notch: articulates with radius
c. Head (wrist end): articulates with radius
d. Styloid process: attachment for wrist ligaments

Radius: narrow proximally, wide distally

a. Head (humerus end)
i. Superior surface articulates with capitulum of humerus
ii. Medial surface articulates with ulna
b. Radial tuberosity: anchors biceps muscle
c. Styloid process: attachment for wrist ligaments
Skeleton of Hand
 Skeleton of Hand
1. Carpus: proximal structure of hand
a. Group of 8 bones (carpals) tied together with ligaments
b. Two irregular rows of four bones each
i. Proximal row: scaphoid, lunate, triquetral and pisiform
ii. Distal row: Trapezium, trapezoid, capitate and hamate
2. Metacarpus (5 wrist-like spokes)
a. No names; numbers (1-5) instead; 1 on thumb side
b. Articulations
i. Bases with carpals
ii. Heads with phalanges
3. Phalanges (fingers or digits): 14 bones
a. Numbered 1-5 beginning with pollex (thumb)
b. Distal, middle and proximal phalanges for each digit
c. No middle phalanx for pollex
Colles transverse fracture of distal end
of radius distal fragment is displaced
posteriorly. (fall with outstretched arms)
Opposite of Colles is Smiths (falling with wrists flexed)
Colles fracture
- Dinner fork deformity
Colles fracture
Boxers fracture
 Scaphoid fracture

Results from a fall on the palm of the hand

When the hand is abducted across the narrow
part of scaphoid
May result in avascular necrosis of proximal fragment.
1. Acromial end
2. Conoid tubercle
3. Sternal end
1. Acromion process
2. Coracoid process
3. Glenoid fossa
4. Subcapsular fossa
1. Lesser tubercle
2. Intertubercular
groove/ bicipital
sulcus
3. Medial
epicondyle
4. Coronoid fossa
1. Radial tuberosity
2. Styloid process of radius
3. Coronoid process
4. Trochelar notch
1. Capitulum
2. Radiocarpal joint
3. Proximal radio-ulnar joint
1. Scaphoid
2. Hook of hamate
3. Pisiform
4. Lunate
 Side identification
Clavicle
Medial - enlarged sternal end
Anterior curvature is convexo-concave from
medial to lateral
Inferior conoid tubercle

Scapula
Posterior spine
Superior and lateral glenoid cavity

Humerus
Superior and medial head
Posterior olecranon fossa