Upper Limb – Shoulder and Arm Anatomy

A comprehensive set of flashcards covering bones, joints, ligaments, muscles, neurovascular structures, clinical correlations, dermatomes, and myotomes of the upper limb shoulder–arm region.

Name the four joints that comprise the shoulder complex.

Glenohumeral, Sternoclavicular, Acromioclavicular, Scapulothoracic articulation.

What is the only direct skeletal attachment of the upper extremity to the trunk?

The clavicle via the sternoclavicular joint.

Which ligament attaches to the conoid tubercle of the clavicle?

The conoid portion of the coracoclavicular ligament.

Which muscle inserts into the subclavian groove of the clavicle?

Subclavius muscle.

Which vessels and nerve bundle lie posterior-inferior to the clavicle?

Subclavian & axillary vessels and the brachial plexus.

The supraglenoid tubercle gives origin to which structure?

Long head of the biceps brachii tendon.

What angle of inclination does the humeral head form with the shaft?

Approximately 135° and it is slightly retroverted.

Which rotator cuff muscles attach to the greater tubercle?

Supraspinatus, Infraspinatus, Teres Minor.

What structure runs in the intertubercular (bicipital) groove?

Tendon of the long head of the biceps brachii, held by the transverse humeral ligament.

Fractures of which humeral region often damage the radial nerve?

Mid-shaft (at the radial groove).

Which shoulder joint contributes ~30° to shoulder elevation?

Sternoclavicular joint.

Why is posterior dislocation of the SC joint a medical emergency?

Risk of impingement or injury to mediastinal vessels, trachea, and esophagus.

Which ligament anchors the clavicle to the coracoid process and has conoid and trapezoid parts?

Coracoclavicular ligament.

Which glenohumeral ligament is the primary restraint to ER at 0°–30° abduction and to inferior translation?

Superior glenohumeral ligament.

Which ligament forms the ‘roof’ of the shoulder and is implicated in impingement syndrome?

Coracoacromial ligament.

What lesion is a posterolateral humeral head compression fracture from anterior GH dislocation?

Hill-Sachs lesion.

Name the two clinically important bursae of the shoulder.

Subacromial bursa and subscapular bursa.

List the two heads of origin of pectoralis major and their bony attachments.

Clavicular head – anterior medial ½ of clavicle; Sternocostal head – anterior sternum and upper six costal cartilages.

Which nerves innervate the two heads of pectoralis major?

Clavicular head – Lateral pectoral nerve (C5–C7); Sternocostal head – Medial pectoral nerve (C8–T1).

What is the action of serratus anterior on the scapula?

Protraction, stabilization against thoracic wall, and upward rotation

Which nerve supplies serratus anterior and what roots form it?

Long thoracic nerve (roots C5, C6, C7).

Which cranial nerve innervates trapezius?

Spinal Accessory nerve (CN XI).

What are the actions of the latissimus dorsi on the humerus?

Extension, Adduction, Internal rotation.

Which nerve innervates both rhomboids and levator scapulae?

Dorsal scapular nerve (C5).

Which part of the deltoid initiates abduction beyond ~15°?

Middle (acromial) deltoid.

Which two structures occupy the quadrangular space?

Axillary nerve and posterior circumflex humeral artery.

What artery is the continuation of the subclavian after it crosses the first rib?

Axillary artery.

Name the single branch of the first part of the axillary artery.

Superior thoracic artery.

Which artery accompanies the thoracodorsal nerve?

Thoracodorsal artery (branch of subscapular).

Roots of the brachial plexus pass between which two scalene muscles?

Anterior and middle scalene muscles.

Which nerve arises from roots C5–C7 and lies on serratus anterior?

Long thoracic nerve.

Which nerve pierces coracobrachialis and becomes the lateral antebrachial cutaneous nerve?

Musculocutaneous nerve.

Which muscles are innervated by the axillary nerve?

Deltoid and Teres Minor (and GH joint).

The radial nerve travels with which artery in the radial groove?

Profunda (deep) brachial artery.

Which flexor muscles are NOT innervated by the median nerve?

Flexor carpi ulnaris and the ulnar half of flexor digitorum profundus (both by ulnar nerve).

Where can the ulnar nerve be palpated superficially at the elbow?

Posterior to the medial epicondyle in the ulnar groove.

Identify the borders of the triangular interval and its contents.

Borders: Long head of triceps (medial), humerus (lateral), teres major (superior). Contents: Radial nerve and profunda brachial artery.

Which artery is the parent of the common interosseous artery?

Ulnar artery.

What nerve damage is most common with mid-shaft humeral fractures?

Radial nerve injury leading to wrist/finger extensor weakness and dorsal hand sensory loss.

Which cutaneous nerve supplies skin over the lateral forearm?

Lateral antebrachial cutaneous nerve (terminal musculocutaneous).

Loss of sensation in the palmar medial hand and little finger suggests injury to which nerve?

Ulnar nerve (cutaneous distribution).

What is the primary restraint to inferior translation of the humeral head in adduction?

Coracohumeral ligament.

Which artery forms an anastomosis with the radial recurrent artery around the lateral elbow?

Radial collateral artery (branch of profunda brachii).

What branch of the brachial plexus innervates pectoralis minor and part of pectoralis major?

Medial pectoral nerve (C8, T1).

Which nerve can be compressed in the arcade of Frohse, producing radial tunnel syndrome?

Deep branch of the radial nerve / Posterior interosseous nerve.

Damage to which nerve results in winging of the scapula?

Long thoracic nerve (paralysis of serratus anterior).

What is a Bankart lesion?

Detachment or tear of the glenoid labrum (often anterior/inferior) associated with anterior shoulder dislocation.

Which nerve provides cutaneous supply to the dorsal web space between thumb and index finger?

Superficial branch of the radial nerve.

What spinal level dermatome covers the medial arm?

T1 dermatome.

Which artery is at risk in a posterior dislocation of the humeral head affecting the axilla?

Axillary artery.