Upper Limb Anatomy – Bones, Joints, Muscles, Vessels & Nerves

Question-and-answer flashcards covering key bones, joints, ligaments, muscles, vessels, and nerves of the upper limb as outlined in the lecture notes. Designed for quick review before an exam.

Which two bones articulate to form the acromioclavicular (AC) joint?

The clavicle and the acromion of the scapula.

Name the functional (not true) joint where the scapula glides over the thoracic wall.

The scapulothoracic joint.

What space lies between the acromion and the humeral head and houses the subacromial bursa?

The subacromial space.

Which ligaments stabilize the sternoclavicular joint?

The sternoclavicular ligaments.

What ligament anchors the clavicle to the coracoid process?

The coracoclavicular ligament.

The superior transverse scapular ligament converts the scapular notch into what structure?

A foramen for passage of the suprascapular nerve.

Which ligament forms the coracoacromial arch above the glenohumeral joint?

The coracoacromial ligament.

Where does the long head of the biceps brachii originate?

The supraglenoid tubercle of the scapula.

Which recess allows redundancy of the shoulder joint capsule during abduction?

The axillary recess.

Name the three glenohumeral ligaments.

Superior, middle, and inferior glenohumeral ligaments.

Which fossa of the scapula is the origin of the supraspinatus muscle?

The supraspinous fossa.

Which fossa of the scapula serves as the origin of the infraspinatus muscle?

The infraspinous fossa.

Which fossa lies on the costal (anterior) surface of the scapula?

The subscapular fossa.

What structure separates the greater and lesser tubercles of the humerus?

The intertubercular (bicipital) sulcus.

Which nerve innervates the deltoid muscle?

The axillary nerve.

Which rotator-cuff muscle is responsible for the first 15° of shoulder abduction?

Supraspinatus.

What is the main action of the subscapularis muscle?

Medial (internal) rotation of the humerus.

The radial groove on the posterior humerus carries which neurovascular bundle?

The radial nerve and deep brachial (profunda brachii) artery.

Which two muscles insert on the intertubercular sulcus/lip of the humerus (lady between two majors)?

Latissimus dorsi (floor), pectoralis major (lateral lip), and teres major (medial lip).

Which ligament of the elbow runs from the lateral epicondyle to the annular ligament of the radius?

The radial collateral ligament.

Name the three bands of the ulnar collateral ligament of the elbow.

Anterior, posterior, and oblique (transverse) bands.

The annular ligament of the radius encircles which bony structure?

The head of the radius.

Which carpal bone is most commonly fractured after a fall on an out-stretched hand (FOOSH)?

The scaphoid.

Which bone forms the bony prominence of the elbow?

The olecranon process of the ulna.

The trochlea of the humerus articulates with which notch on the ulna?

The trochlear notch.

What nerve innervates the majority of the anterior forearm flexor muscles?

The median nerve.

Which two anterior forearm muscles are innervated (at least partly) by the ulnar nerve?

Flexor carpi ulnaris and the medial (ulnar) half of flexor digitorum profundus.

Name the two heads of the pronator teres and their proximal attachments.

Humeral head: medial epicondyle; ulnar head: coronoid process of ulna.

Which muscle is the primary flexor of the forearm at the elbow regardless of forearm position?

Brachialis.

What is the distal attachment of flexor digitorum superficialis?

The middle phalanges of digits 2-5.

Which muscle inserts on the distal phalanx of the thumb and flexes the interphalangeal joint?

Flexor pollicis longus.

Which posterior forearm muscle is an exception because it flexes, rather than extends, the elbow?

Brachioradialis.

Which muscle is the primary supinator of the forearm when the elbow is extended?

Supinator.

What two arteries form the superficial palmar arterial arch?

Mainly the ulnar artery with contribution from the superficial palmar branch of the radial artery.

Which carpal bone contains a hook that serves as an attachment for the flexor retinaculum?

The hamate (hook of hamate).

Name the three thenar muscles supplied by the recurrent branch of the median nerve.

Opponens pollicis, abductor pollicis brevis, and flexor pollicis brevis (superficial head).

Which intrinsic hand muscle group abducts digits 2-4?

Dorsal interossei (DAB – Dorsal ABduct).

Which intrinsic hand muscle group adducts digits 2, 4, and 5 toward the middle finger?

Palmar interossei (PAD – Palmar ADduct).

What is the innervation of the adductor pollicis muscle?

The ulnar nerve (deep branch).

Which branch of the axillary artery supplies the serratus anterior and pectoral muscles?

The lateral thoracic artery.

Name the two arteries that encircle the surgical neck of the humerus.

Anterior and posterior circumflex humeral arteries.

The profunda brachii (deep brachial) artery travels with which nerve in the radial groove?

The radial nerve.

Which superficial vein runs along the lateral aspect of the upper limb and drains into the axillary vein in the deltopectoral groove?

The cephalic vein.

Which superficial forearm vein is commonly used for venipuncture at the cubital fossa?

The median cubital vein.

Roots of the brachial plexus originate from which spinal nerves?

C5 through T1.

Which brachial plexus cord gives rise to the musculocutaneous nerve?

The lateral cord.

Which nerve innervates most intrinsic muscles of the hand (except thenar and first two lumbricals)?

The ulnar nerve.

What is the main nerve supply to the extensor compartment of the forearm?

The radial nerve.

Which muscle abducts the thumb and forms the lateral border of the anatomical snuffbox?

Abductor pollicis longus.

The dorsal tubercle of the radius (Lister’s tubercle) acts as a pulley for which tendon?

Extensor pollicis longus.

Name the ligament that limits wrist flexion by spanning from the distal radius to the triquetrum on the dorsal side.

The dorsal radiocarpal ligament.

Which ligament of the wrist runs from the styloid process of the radius to the scaphoid and limits ulnar deviation?

The radial (lateral) collateral ligament of the wrist.

Where does the coracobrachialis muscle insert?

The medial mid-shaft of the humerus.

Which head of triceps brachii originates from the infraglenoid tubercle?

The long head.

The axillary artery begins at the lateral border of which rib?

The first rib.

Which branch of the thyrocervical trunk supplies blood to the supraspinatus and infraspinatus?

The suprascapular artery.

Name the three divisions of the axillary artery relative to pectoralis minor.

Proximal (1st), posterior (2nd), and distal (3rd) to pectoralis minor.

What is the terminal branch of the brachial artery at the cubital fossa?

It bifurcates into the radial and ulnar arteries.

Which muscle forms the floor of the cubital fossa?

Brachialis.

Which nerve passes through the carpal tunnel with the flexor tendons?

The median nerve.

What carpal bone articulates with the first metacarpal to form the saddle joint of the thumb?

The trapezium.

Which wrist ligament connects the styloid process of the ulna to the triquetrum?

The ulnar (medial) collateral ligament of the wrist.

The interosseous membrane connects which two forearm bones?

The radius and ulna.

Which intrinsic hand muscle wrinkles the skin over the hypothenar eminence to improve grip?

Palmaris brevis.

What are the actions of the lumbrical muscles on the fingers?

Flex the metacarpophalangeal joints and extend the interphalangeal joints.

Which ligament prevents inferior displacement of the humeral head and forms an arch over the rotator cuff?

The coracoacromial ligament (coracoacromial arch).

Name the joint that allows pronation and supination at the forearm proximally.

The proximal radioulnar joint.

Which muscle originates from the hook of the hamate and flexor retinaculum and opposes the 5th digit?

Opponens digiti minimi.

Which artery travels with the radial nerve in the radial groove of the humerus?

The profunda brachii (deep brachial) artery.

What is the primary action of anconeus at the elbow?

Assists triceps in extension and stabilizes the elbow joint.

Which muscle forms the medial border of the axilla?

Serratus anterior (not explicitly listed but implied by axillary walls).

Which nerve runs posterior to the medial epicondyle and can be compressed in ‘cubital tunnel’ syndrome?

The ulnar nerve.