Summary of Upper Limb Anatomy

Upper Limb Overview

The upper limb consists of the scapula, arm, forearm, hand, and fingers. Similar to the lower limb, the upper limb also connects to the axial skeleton and exhibits similar organizational patterns with a focus on mobility rather than stability.

Bone Structure

• Clavicle: collar bone
• Scapula: shoulder blade
• Humerus: arm bone
• Radius and Ulna: forearm bones
• Carpals: wrist bones
• Metacarpals: bones in the palm
• Phalanges: bones of the fingers

Joints of the Upper Limb

Sternoclavicular Joint

• Connects the sternum and clavicle; it's the only true articulation between the upper limb and the axial skeleton.

Acromioclavicular Joint (AC Joint)

• Connects the scapula and clavicle, allowing movement between these structures.

Glenohumeral Joint

• A ball-and-socket joint, analogous to the hip joint but more mobile and less stable due to a shallower socket.
• Allows movements: flexion, extension, abduction, adduction, internal and external rotation.

Scapulothoracic Joint

• Not a true joint; it involves the scapula's movement over the thoracic cage, allowing scapular movements like elevation, depression, protraction, retraction, upward, and downward rotation.

Elbow Joint

• A true hinge joint between the distal humerus and ulna, allowing flexion and extension of the forearm.

Radio-ulnar Joints

• Consisting of proximal and distal joints that allow the radius to rotate over the ulna, facilitating movements of pronation (palm down) and supination (palm up).