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AN8.1-4 | Introduction to Features of individual bones (Upper Limb)
The skeleton of the upper limb is built from seven bone groups — two girdle bones, one arm bone, two forearm bones, eight carpal bones, five metacarpals, and fourteen phalanges. In this module you will learn to identify each bone, determine its side, name its important features, locate the muscle attachments that clinical anatomy depends on, and understand the special clinical significance of the scaphoid and pisiform. The skills you build here underpin every upper-limb examination and every fracture you will diagnose in clinical years.
Learning Objectives
- Identify the clavicle, scapula, humerus, radius, ulna, and carpal bones; determine their side and anatomical position (AN8.1)
- Describe the important features and joint formations of each upper limb bone (AN8.1)
- Demonstrate important muscle attachments on each bone (AN8.2)
- Identify and name the bones of the articulated hand; specify the parts of metacarpals and phalanges; enumerate the peculiarities of the pisiform (AN8.3)
- Describe scaphoid fracture and explain the anatomical basis of avascular necrosis of the scaphoid (AN8.4)
INSTRUCTIONS
Work through the five sections in order. Each section introduces 3–4 key terms; bold them in your notes. Complete the self-check questions before moving on. Have your atlas and a bone specimen (or diagram) alongside as you read.
References
- Gray's Anatomy for Students (Drake et al.) — Chapter 7: Upper Limb (Textbook)
- BD Chaurasia's Human Anatomy, Vol. 1 — Upper Limb (Textbook)
- Clinically Oriented Anatomy (Moore et al.) — Pectoral Girdle and Upper Limb (Textbook)
- OpenStax Anatomy and Physiology 2e — Ch 8: The Appendicular Skeleton (CC BY 4.0) (Open Access)
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