Upper Limb Anatomy and Fractures Flashcards

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering anatomical structures, locations, nerve relationships, and fracture classifications of the upper limb.

Arm

The region of the upper limb located between the shoulder and the elbow.

Forearm

The region of the upper limb located between the elbow and the wrist.

Pectoral Girdle

The anatomical structure consisting of the scapulae and clavicle that attaches the upper limbs to the axial skeleton.

Clavicle

An S-shaped bone connecting the upper limb to the trunk anteriorly; it is the most frequently fractured bone, especially in children.

Acromial End of Clavicle

The flat lateral end of the clavicle that articulates with the acromion of the scapula.

Sternal End of Clavicle

The enlarged, triangular medial end of the clavicle that articulates with the manubrium of the sternum.

Scapula

A flat, triangular bone located on the posterolateral thorax, also known as the shoulder blade.

Humerus

The long bone of the arm that articulates proximally with the pectoral girdle and distally with the radius and ulna.

Humerus Head

The rounded proximal articulating surface of the humerus that fits into the glenoid cavity.

Glenoid Cavity

The socket of the shoulder region that articulates with the head of the humerus.

Anatomical Neck of Humerus

The region located just below the humerus head that joins just below the joint capsule.

Surgical Neck of Humerus

The narrow metaphysis located just below the greater and lesser tubercles; it is the common site for proximal humerus fractures.

Greater Tubercle

The lateral projection on the proximal humerus that forms the tip of the shoulder.

Lesser Tubercle

The anterior-lateral projection on the proximal humerus.

Intertubercular Groove

The groove located on the humerus that separates the greater tubercle and lesser tubercle.

Avulsed Fracture of Greater Tubercle

A fracture that occurs when the greater tubercle of the humerus is violently torn away.

Impacted Proximal Fracture

A proximal humerus fracture where one bone fragment is embedded into the spongy bone of another, often caused by indirect force from a fall on an outstretched hand.

Deltoid Tuberosity

A bulge on the shaft of the humerus that serves as the attachment point for the deltoid muscle.

Radial Groove

A depression on the posterior aspect of the humeral shaft associated with the radial nerve.

Trochlea

A distal humeral structure that articulates directly with the ulna.

Capitulum

A distal humeral structure that articulates with the head of the radius.

Coronoid Fossa

An anterior depression on the distal humerus that receives the coronoid process of the ulna when the elbow flexes.

Olecranon Fossa

A posterior depression on the distal humerus that receives the olecranon process of the ulna when the elbow extends.

Intercondylar Fracture

A severe fracture resulting from a fall on a flexed elbow or high-impact injury where the olecranon is driven like a wedge between the medial and lateral parts of the humeral condyle.

Axillary Nerve

The nerve located in the danger zone at the surgical neck of the humerus.

Radial Nerve

The nerve located in the danger zone at the radial groove of the humerus.

Median Nerve

The nerve located in the danger zone at the distal humerus.

Ulnar Nerve

The nerve located in the danger zone at the medial epicondyle of the humerus.

Ulna

The medial bone of the forearm located on the pinky side.

Olecranon Process

The superior lip of the proximal ulna forming the point of the elbow, which articulates with the trochlea of the humerus.

Coronoid Process

The inferior lip of the proximal ulna that helps form the trochlear notch.

Radial Notch

A proximal ulna structure that articulates with the head of the radius to help form the proximal radioulnar joint.

Interosseous Membrane

A fibrous sheet connecting the ulna to the radius.

Radius

The lateral bone of the forearm located on the thumb side.

Radial Tuberosity

A projection located below the neck of the radius that serves as an attachment for the biceps.

Colles Fracture

A complete $2\,cm$ transverse fracture of the distal radius resulting from torso extension or a fall on an outstretched hand, frequently producing a dinner fork deformity.

Scaphoid

A proximal carpal bone near the styloid process; it is the most commonly fractured carpal bone, presenting with pain upon palpation of the anatomical snuff box.

Hamate

A distal carpal bone whose fracture can lead to nonunion and injure the ulnar nerve due to its proximity to the hook of the hamate, decreasing grip strength.

Capitate

The largest carpal bone, located in the distal row.

Boxer Fracture

A fracture of the 5th metacarpal where the head rotates over the distal shaft.

Pollex

The anatomical term for the thumb, composed of 2 phalanges (proximal and distal).