Surface anatomy of the Upper

limb & Lower Limb

 Objectives
• At the end of this session, students should
be able to:
• Identify /name the landmarks and make
links to the structures which lie beneath
• Clavicle: subcutaneous along its length on
anterior aspect of thorax (T2-3)
• Greater tuberosity of humerus: Palpable on
lateral aspect of the upper limb. Gives a
rounded appearance to the shoulder joint.
• Sterno-clavicular joint: joint is palpable,
just lateral to the jugular notch.
• Head of humerus: can be identified by moving the
upper limb to and fro and palpating at the shoulder
joint.
• Axilla: the angle between the arm (humerus) and
the chest
• Condyles: Lateral and medial condyles at the
lower end of the humerus are palpable at the
crease of the elbow. (called the ante-cubital fossa),
Medial condyle is lower than the lateral condyle,
 because of the carrying angle of the upper limb.
( 164° to long axis of humerus)
• Olecranon process of the ulna is palpable on the
posterior aspect of the elbow. ( called the “funny
bone”)
• Radial and ulnar styloid processes of the wrist can
be palpated on either side of the distal end of the
forearm. When the forearm is in the anatomical
position the radius is lateral and the ulna is medial.
• Hand: Heads of the metacarpals form the
knuckles when the fingers are flexed. The
palm is formed by metacarpals which can
be palpated along the length of the dorsal
aspect of the hand.
• Digits/fingers: Formed by the phalanges.
There are 2 phalanges on the thumb and 3
on each of the remaining four fingers.
• Heads of Phalanges: These form
prominences on the dorsal aspect of the
fingers and thumb when they are flexed at
the inter phalangeal joints.
• Metacarpals can be palpated along their
length on the dorsal aspect of the hand.
• Scaphoid bone: is located just distal to the
radial styloid process.
• Carpal bones: form the wrist.(2 rows)
(right wrist)( from thumb side , postero- anterior))
Proximal row: scaphoid, lunate triquetral,
pisiform
Distal row: trapezium, trapezoid capitate,
hamate
 Surface Anatomy of the lower
limb
• Hip joint: Lies in the fold of the groin and co-
incides with the femoral pulse.
• Femur: The greater trochanter of the femur is the
most prominent feature which can be palpated on
the lateral aspect of the thigh in the mid-axillary
line.
• Condyles of the femur: There are 2 condyles at the
distal end- medial and lateral, both of which are
easily palpable.
• The lateral condyle is palpable on lateral
aspect in line with the upper border of the
patella
• Medial condyle is palpable on the medial
aspect in line with the upper border of the
patella
• Knee joint: Patella is triangular in shape and is
sub-cutaneous. Found on the anterior aspect of
the knee joint. Located in the tendon of the
quadriceps femoris muscle.
• Popliteal fossa: found at the back of the knee
( posterior aspect)
• Tibial tuberosity: When the knee is extended, the
tibial tuberosity is located 1 ½” below the lower
border (apex ) of the patella.
• Anterior border of tibia: Palpable beneath the
skin. Felt as a sharp ridge along the length of the
leg’s anterior aspect.
• Ankle joint: formed by the distal end of the tibia
called the medial malleolus and the distal end of
the fibula called the lateral malleolus and the
superior surface of the talus. Both malleoli are
sub cutaneous and are palpable from the outside.
The lateral malleolus reaches to a lower level.
• Head of the fibula: this can be palpated on
the lateral aspect of the leg at a point in line
with the lower border of the patella.
• Foot and toes: There are some palpable
points on the foot:
1.Tuberosity of the navicular bone. This is the
highest point on the dorsum of the foot
when it is in the dorsi-plantar position
• 2. Calcaneum ( heel bone) is the largest
bone of the foot and is easily identified at
the back of the foot
• 3. The ball of the foot is formed by the
metatarsal bones
• 4. Base of 5th metatarsal bone is palpable
on the lateral aspect of the foot
• 5. Toes are formed by the phalanges. There
are 2 phalanges on the great toe and three
on each of the 4 remaining toes.