Upper Extremity Joints – Shoulder, Elbow & Wrist

Vocabulary flashcards covering anatomical structures, ligaments, bursae, and movements of the shoulder, elbow, and wrist joints.

Shoulder (Glenohumeral) Joint

Ball-and-socket articulation between the head of the humerus and the glenoid cavity of the scapula.

Articular Capsule (Shoulder)

Thin, loose sac from the glenoid cavity to the anatomical neck of the humerus; inferior portion is the weakest area.

Coracohumeral Ligament

Strong, broad band from the coracoid process of the scapula to the greater tubercle of the humerus; reinforces the superior capsule.

Glenohumeral Ligaments

Anterior capsular thickenings running from the glenoid cavity to the lesser tubercle/anatomical neck; provide limited strength but help stabilize the joint near motion limits.

Transverse Humeral Ligament

Narrow sheet stretching between the greater and lesser tubercles; acts as a retinaculum for the long head of the biceps brachii tendon.

Glenoid Labrum

Fibrocartilaginous rim that deepens the glenoid cavity and helps stabilize the humeral head.

Shoulder Bursae

Synovial-fluid sacs surrounding the shoulder that reduce friction at tendon-tendon and tendon-bone interfaces; inflammation causes bursitis.

Subacromial–Subdeltoid Bursa

Large bursa beneath the acromion and deltoid that cushions the supraspinatus tendon.

Subscapular Bursa

Bursa between the tendon of subscapularis and the neck of the scapula.

Sub-coracoid Bursa

Bursa located under the coracoid process, reducing friction between it and the capsule.

Coracoclavicular Bursa

Small bursa interposed between the coracoid process and the clavicle.

Supra-acromial Bursa

Bursa situated on the superior surface of the acromion.

Movements of the Shoulder Joint

Flexion/Extension, Abduction/Adduction, Horizontal Abduction/Adduction, Internal/External Rotation, and Circumduction.

Elbow Joint

Hinge joint formed by the trochlea & capitulum of the humerus with the trochlear notch of the ulna and the head of the radius.

Articular Capsule (Elbow)

Fibrous capsule enclosing the anterior, medial, lateral, and posterior aspects of the elbow joint.

Ulnar Collateral Ligament (Elbow)

Thick triangular band from the medial epicondyle of the humerus to the coronoid process and olecranon of the ulna.

Radial Collateral Ligament (Elbow)

Strong triangular band from the lateral epicondyle of the humerus to the annular ligament and radial notch of the ulna.

Annular Ligament

Strong ring that encircles the head of the radius, holding it against the radial notch of the ulna.

Olecranon Bursa

Thin fluid-filled sac over the tip of the olecranon that cushions skin from bone.

Movements of the Elbow Joint

Flexion/Extension at the humeroulnar joint and Supination/Pronation at the proximal radioulnar joint.

Wrist (Radiocarpal) Joint

Condyloid joint between the distal radius and the scaphoid, lunate, and triquetrum; ulna excluded by an articular disk.

Joint Capsule (Wrist)

Capsule attaching to the radius, ulna, and proximal carpal row, enclosing the radiocarpal joint.

Palmar Radiocarpal Ligament

Broad anterior band from the radius to both rows of carpal bones.

Dorsal Radiocarpal Ligament

Posterior band from the radius to both rows of carpal bones.

Ulnar Collateral Ligament (Wrist)

Ligament running from the ulnar styloid process to the triquetrum and pisiform.

Radial Collateral Ligament (Wrist)

Ligament running from the radial styloid process to the scaphoid and trapezium.

Movements of the Wrist Joint

Flexion/Extension, Radial Deviation (Abduction), and Ulnar Deviation (Adduction).

Scaphoid

Boat-shaped proximal carpal bone that articulates with the radius; commonly fractured.

Lunate

Crescent-shaped proximal carpal bone articulating centrally with the radius.

Triquetrum

Pyramidal proximal carpal bone that articulates with the articular disk and lunate.

Pisiform

Sesamoid carpal bone lying anterior to the triquetrum; not part of the radiocarpal articulation.

Articular Disk (Distal Radioulnar)

Fibrocartilaginous disk between the ulna and proximal carpal row, separating the ulna from the radiocarpal joint.