Integrated Anatomy: Radiographs and Bones of the Upper Limb

Vocabulary flashcards covering upper limb osteology, radiographic views, joints, nerves, and commonly tested clinical correlations from the lecture notes.

Grashey view

A 30–40° oblique radiograph to estimate glenohumeral joint space narrowing; space not obscured by bones.

Transscapular Y view

X-ray view with the beam aligned to the body of the scapula; evaluates glenohumeral dislocation and helps characterize scapular fractures.

Outlet view

X-ray beam angled 10–15° inferiorly to assess acromial morphology, the coracoacromial arch, and supraspinatus passage space.

Axillary view

Radiograph viewed as looking up into the underarm; evaluates joint space and glenohumeral alignment to rule out dislocation.

Surgical neck of humerus

Narrow region distal to the anatomical neck; common fracture site that can injure the axillary nerve.

Axillary nerve

Nerve at risk with proximal humeral fractures, particularly around the surgical neck.

Trochlea of humerus

Pulley-shaped distal humerus articulating with the ulna.

Olecranon fossa of humerus

Posterior distal humerus depression that articulates with the olecranon of the ulna.

Coronoid process of ulna

Projection on the anterior ulna that articulates with the coronoid fossa of the humerus.

Radial nerve

Nerve that traverses the radial groove of the humerus; injury can cause wrist drop and weakness of wrist extension, abduction, and adduction.

Medial epicondylitis

Golfer’s elbow; chronic inflammation of the common flexor tendon at the medial epicondyle.

Lateral epicondylitis

Tennis elbow; chronic inflammation of the common extensor tendon at the lateral epicondyle.

Carpal tunnel

Anterior space in the wrist deep to the flexor retinaculum through which the median nerve and flexor tendons pass; compression causes carpal tunnel syndrome.

Guyon’s canal

Tunnel in the wrist that transmits the ulnar nerve and artery through the carpus; boundaries include parts of the deep palmar ligaments.

Ulnar nerve

Nerve that travels through Guyon’s canal and supplies intrinsic hand muscles.

Median nerve

Nerve that passes through the carpal tunnel to the hand.