Upper Extremities (UE) Osteology and Arthrology Flashcards

Flashcards for reviewing key vocabulary related to the osteology and arthrology of the upper extremities.

Clavicle

Connects the UE to the trunk and suspends the scapula and free limb from the trunk. Forms one of the boundaries of the cervico-axillary canal and transmits shocks from the UE to the axial skeleton.

Inflection point of clavicle

The junction between the medial 2/3rd and lateral 1/3rd of the clavicle, which is the weakest point and more prone to fractures.

Scapula

Triangular flat bone located on the posterior part of the thorax, overlying 2nd – 7th ribs; it articulates with the humerus and thoracic wall.

Spine of scapula

Ridge of bone that divides the posterior surface of the scapula into two fossae (supraspinous and infraspinous fossae).

Acromion

Lateral continuation of the spine of the scapula.

Glenoid cavity

Located superolaterally on the scapula, it receives and articulates with the head of the humerus (glenohumeral joint).

Humerus

Largest bone in the UE that articulates with the scapula (glenohumeral joint) and radius and ulna (elbow joint).

Anatomical neck of humerus

Groove separating the head from the greater and lesser tubercles of the humerus; indicates the place of attachment of the glenohumeral joint capsule.

Surgical neck of humerus

Narrow part distal to the head and tubercles of the humerus; common site of fracture.

Intertubercular groove

Located between the tubercles of the humerus and provides passage for the tendon of the long head of the biceps muscle.

Deltoid tuberosity

Attachment for the deltoid muscle on the shaft of the humerus.

Radial groove

Oblique demarcation on the posterior side of the humerus, containing the radial nerve and deep artery of arm.

Condyle

Distal end of the humerus that includes the trochlea, capitulum, olecranon, coronoid and radial fossa.

Trochlea

Medial articular surface of the humerus that articulates with the ulna.

Capitulum

Lateral articular surface of the humerus that articulates with the head of the radius.

Ulna

Stabilizing bone of the forearm, located medially and longer of the two forearm bones; articulates proximally with the humerus and head of the radius.

Olecranon

Superior, most proximal portion of the ulna that articulates with the olecranon fossa of the humerus and serves as a short lever for extension of the elbow

Radius

Forearm bone located laterally; articulates with the ulna proximally and distally, and with the carpal bones distally forming the wrist joint; controls supination and pronation.

Interosseous membrane

Thin fibrous membrane with oblique fibers running inferiorly and medially from the radius to the ulna.

Wrist (carpus)

Composed of 8 carpal bones arranged in proximal and distal rows of 4, providing flexibility to the wrist.

Scaphoid

Largest bone in the proximal row of carpal bones; articulates with the radius.

Lunate

Moon-shaped carpal bone in the proximal row; articulates with the radius.

Trapezium

Carpal bone on the lateral side of the distal row; articulates with the 1st and 2nd metacarpals.

Capitate

Largest bone of the carpus (wrist); articulates with the 3rd metacarpal

Hamate

Bone in the distal carpal row that articulates with the 4th and 5th metacarpals; possesses a hook extending anteriorly.

Metacarpus

Forms the skeleton of the palm of hand between the carpus and phalanges (fingers); consists of 5 bones.

1st metacarpal

Thumb, the thickest and shortest metacarpal bone.

Phalanges

Form the digits (3 phalanges per digit, except the thumb), each having a base, a shaft, and a head.

Sternoclavicular joint

Only articulation between the axial skeleton and UE; acts as a strut for keeping the shoulder away from the thorax.

Coracoclavicular ligament

Strong pair of bands joining the coracoid process to the clavicle; major reinforcement to the acromioclavicular joint.

Glenohumeral joint

Ball and socket type of synovial joint; articulation between the head of humerus and glenoid cavity of scapula.

Bursas

Located between the tendons and bony structures around joints; reduce friction during movement

Elbow Joint

Hinge type of synovial joint; articulation between the trochlea and trochlear notch (ulnar-humeral joint) & capitulum and radius (radio-humeral joint)

Proximal radio-ulnar joint

Pivot type of synovial joint; radius rotates on the ulna allowing pronation and supination.

Distal radio-ulnar joint

Pivot type of synovial joint; radius and head of ulna are bound by the articular disc, allowing for pronation and supination.

Wrist joint

Condyloid type of synovial joint; articulation between distal end of radius and articular disc of distal radio-ulnar joint with proximal row of carpal bones.

Carpometacarpal and intermetacarpal joints

Plane type of synovial joint, except the carpometacarpal joint of the thumb which is a saddle joint; articulation between distal row of carpals and metacarpals.

Metacarpophalangeal and interphalangeal joints

Condyloid type of synovial joint (metacarpophalangeal joint) and hinge type (interphalangeal joint); articulation between metacarpals and phalanges.