AN8.1-4 | Features of individual bones (Upper Limb) — Glossary

The only horizontally oriented long bone; connects the shoulder girdle to the axial skeleton; most commonly fractured bone in the body

The only joint between the upper limb and the axial skeleton; a synovial saddle joint between the medial clavicle and the manubrium sterni

A synovial plane joint between the lateral end of the clavicle and the acromion of the scapula; stabilised by the coracoclavicular ligament

A strong ligament with two components (conoid and trapezoid) connecting the coracoid process to the clavicle; suspends the scapula from the clavicle

The flat triangular bone on the posterior thorax; provides attachment for rotator cuff muscles and forms the glenoid cavity for the shoulder joint

Four muscles (SITS: supraspinatus, infraspinatus, teres minor, subscapularis) whose tendons fuse with the glenohumeral joint capsule; stabilise the shoulder

A notch on the superior border of the scapula bridged by the superior transverse scapular ligament; the suprascapular nerve passes beneath and vessels pass above

A triangular depression at the base of the thumb bounded by EPL (medially) and EPB/APL (laterally); scaphoid is palpable at its floor; tenderness here suggests scaphoid fracture

The constriction below the greater and lesser tubercles; a common fracture site; the axillary nerve is at risk of injury here

A shallow groove running obliquely on the posterior shaft of the humerus; contains the radial nerve and profunda brachii artery; fracture here causes wrist drop

The intertubercular sulcus between the greater and lesser tubercles of the humerus; contains the long head of biceps tendon

The rounded lateral articular surface of the distal humerus; articulates with the radial head at the elbow

The spool-shaped medial articular surface of the distal humerus; articulates with the trochlear notch of the ulna at the elbow

The posterior projection of the proximal ulna; forms the point of the elbow; insertion of triceps brachii

A bony projection on the medial proximal radius; insertion site of the biceps brachii tendon

The largest proximal carpal bone; most commonly fractured carpal bone; retrograde blood supply makes the proximal pole susceptible to avascular necrosis

Death of bone tissue due to interrupted blood supply; the scaphoid proximal pole is at risk after waist fractures due to its retrograde blood supply

An osseofibrous tunnel at the wrist bounded by the carpal bones and flexor retinaculum; contains nine flexor tendons and the median nerve

A small pea-shaped sesamoid bone in the proximal carpal row; lies within the tendon of flexor carpi ulnaris; the only carpal bone that is a sesamoid

Fracture of the distal radius with dorsal displacement and angulation; dinner fork deformity; caused by fall on outstretched hand; most common wrist fracture

Inability to extend the wrist and fingers due to radial nerve injury; the hand hangs limply when the arm is held horizontally

A synovial joint where both articular surfaces are reciprocally concavo-convex; the thumb CMC joint is the best example, allowing opposition

A tough fibrous sheet connecting the shafts of the radius and ulna; transmits force from the hand to the ulna and provides attachment for forearm muscles