Appendicular Skeleton: Shoulder Girdle and Upper Limbs

Flashcards covering the vocabulary and anatomical structures of the appendicular skeleton's shoulder girdle and upper limbs.

Appendicular skeleton

The portion of the skeleton consisting of the shoulder girdle, upper limbs, pelvic girdle, and lower limbs.

Shoulder girdle (pectoral girdle)

The structure consisting of two clavicles and two scapulae that forms a joint between the upper limb and the trunk.

Clavicle

An S-shaped long bone, commonly called the collar bone, that provides the bony link between the upper limb and the axial skeleton.

Sternoclavicular joint

The joint where the clavicle articulates with the manubrium of the sternum.

Acromioclavicular joint

A slightly movable synovial joint formed by the articulation of the acromion process of the scapula and the lateral (acromial) extremity of the clavicle.

Scapula

A flat triangular-shaped bone, known as the shoulder blade, located on the posterior chest wall superficial to the ribs.

Glenoid cavity

A shallow articular surface at the lateral angle of the scapula that articulates with the head of the humerus to form the shoulder joint.

Spine (Scapula)

A rough ridge on the posterior surface of the scapula.

Acromion process

A prominent overhang of the scapula bone that can be felt as the highest point of the shoulder.

Coracoid process

A projection from the upper border of the scapula that provides attachment for muscles moving the shoulder joint.

Humerus

The bone of the upper arm which features a head that sits within the glenoid cavity of the scapula.

Bicipital groove (intertubercular sulcus)

A deep groove between the greater and lesser tubercles of the humerus that is occupied by one of the tendons of the biceps muscle.

Ulna

The longer forearm bone located medial to the radius when the arm is in the anatomical position.

Radius

The lateral bone of the forearm that lies parallel to the ulna.

Interosseous membrane

A fibrous joint that connects the shafts of the radius and ulna to stabilize their association and maintain their positions.

Carpal bones

A group of $8$ bones in the wrist arranged in two rows of four.

Proximal carpal row

The row of carpal bones containing the scaphoid, lunate, triquetrum, and pisiform.

Distal carpal row

The row of carpal bones containing the trapezium, trapezoid, capitate, and hamate.

Pisiform

The smallest of the carpal bones located in the proximal row.

Capitate

The largest and central carpal bone, which is also the first carpal bone to ossify.

Retinacula

Strong fibrous bands that hold tendons of forearm muscles close to the wrist bones.

Metacarpal bones

The $5$ bones forming the palm of the hand, numbered from the thumb side inwards.

Phalanges

The $14$ finger bones, with three in each finger and two in the thumb, articulating via hinge joints.