Name: humerus landmarks and elbow joints
Uploaded: 2025-05-22T09:05:58.000Z
Duration: 1 min 19 s
Channel: JoVE

K12 Standards

ohios-learning-standards-and-model-curriculum

Ohio’s Learning Standards and Model Curriculum

9-12

Human Anatomy and Physiology

Support And Motion

Skeletal System

Bones of the Upper Limb: Humerus

The upper limb includes the arm, forearm, wrist, and hand bones.
The humerus is the only long bone of the arm; it consists of the head, shaft, and condyles.
At the proximal end, the head articulates with the shoulder blade&#39;s glenoid cavity and allows the arms to hang freely at the sides.
Lateral to the head, prominent projections, the greater and lesser tubercles anchor the rotator cuff muscles, stably attaching the humerus to the scapula.
Between the tubercles, a central bicipital groove allows the bicep tendon to pass through, which helps flex the arm.
About midway through the shaft, a rough elevation, the deltoid tuberosity, attaches the shoulder&#39;s deltoid muscle.
Posteriorly, the radial groove provides passage to the radial nerve to control motor and sensory responses of the muscles during elbow extension.
Condyles&#8211;trochlea and capitulum attach the humerus to the forearm bones&#8212; ulna and radius, forming the elbow joint.
The ulnar nerve crossing the elbow joint often produces a tingling sensation upon being hit as it gets rubbed against the humerus.

bones of the upper limb: humerus

The upper limb consists of the arm, forearm, wrist, and hand bones. The humerus is the single bone of the upper arm region. Proximally, it has a large, spherical, smooth head that articulates with the glenoid cavity of the scapula to form the glenohumeral or shoulder joint. The margin of the head is the anatomical neck, a residual epiphyseal plate. Laterally it extends to form bony projections called the greater tubercle and the lesser tubercle. Next to the tubercles is the surgical neck, a clinically significant part and a common site for fractures. It joins the narrow shaft of the humerus. A small V-shaped roughened projection called the deltoid tuberosity in the middle of the humeral shaft attaches to the deltoid muscle. Distally, the shaft of the humerus stretches to prominent protrusions on the sides, called epicondyles, which also serve as attachment sites for the muscles.
Additionally, the distal end has two articulation areas &#8212; the trochlea that articulates with the ulna, and the capitulum that articulates with the radius. These articulations form the elbow joint. The humerus also has three major depressions, called &#8216;fossae,&#39; that help position the forearm bones during movement at the elbow joint. Superior to the trochlea is the coronoid fossa, which articulates with the coronoid process of the ulna. Above the capitulum is the radial fossa, which receives the head of the radius when the elbow is flexed. Posteriorly, the humerus has the olecranon fossa, which articulates with the olecranon process of the ulna when the forearm is fully extended. Several muscles run through the humerus&#39;s grooves and tubercles, connecting the shoulder joint through proximal tendons and the distal elbow joint through distal tendons. Overusing the shoulder is common among athletes, often leading to an inflamed proximal bicep tendon.
This text is adapted from <a href="https://openstax.org/books/anatomy-and-physiology/pages/8-2-bones-of-the-upper-limb">Openstax, Anatomy and Physiology 2e, Section 8.2: Bones of the Upper Limb</a>

The upper limb consists of the arm, forearm, wrist, and hand bones. The humerus is the single bone of the upper arm region. Proximally, it has a large, ...

Education

JoVE Core

Anatomy and Physiology

Unit 1

The Appendicular Skeleton

KEY TERMS AND CONCEPTS

humerus landmarks and elbow joints

The humerus is the single bone of the upper arm. It connects the shoulder region to the forearm and helps form the shoulder and elbow joints. In the upper limb, it sits between the arm, forearm, wrist, and hand bones.

At the top of the humerus is a smooth, rounded head. It fits into the glenoid cavity of the scapula, or shoulder blade, to form the glenohumeral joint. The edge of the head is the anatomical neck, which is a leftover epiphyseal plate.

Near the top, the humerus also widens into the greater tubercle and lesser tubercle. The surgical neck lies just below these bony projections. It is an important clinical site and a common place for fractures. The narrow shaft continues downward from this region.

Midway along the shaft is the deltoid tuberosity, a small rough V-shaped area. This spot attaches the deltoid muscle. The shaft also gives support to several muscles through its grooves and tubercles.

The lower end of the humerus has medial and lateral epicondyles, which are prominent projections on the sides. These are muscle attachment sites. The distal end also includes the trochlea and capitulum, two articular surfaces that connect with the ulna and radius to form the elbow joint.

Three fossae help guide the forearm bones during elbow movement. The coronoid fossa lies above the trochlea and receives the coronoid process of the ulna. The radial fossa is above the capitulum and receives the head of the radius when the elbow is flexed. The olecranon fossa is on the back of the humerus and receives the olecranon process of the ulna when the forearm is fully extended.

Muscles run through the humerus’s grooves and attach by tendons at both the shoulder and elbow. Overuse of the shoulder is common in athletes and can inflame the proximal bicep tendon. This makes the humerus important for both movement and injury studies.

Humerus Landmarks and Elbow Joints

The humerus is the single bone of the upper arm. It connects the shoulder region to the forearm and helps form the shoulder and elbow joints. In the upper limb, it sits between the arm, forearm, wrist, and hand bones. At the top of the humerus is a smooth, rounded head. It fits into the glenoid cavity of the scapula, or shoulder blade, to form the glenohumeral joint. The edge of the head is the anatomical neck, which is a leftover epiphyseal plate. Near the top, the humerus also widens into...

bones of the upper limb: ulna

Ulna: Elbow and Wrist Support Bone

The ulna is a forearm bone that helps support the elbow and wrist. It runs parallel to the radius, and it lies on the medial side of the antebrachium, or forearm. Its shape and joint surfaces help the arm bend, rotate, and stay stable during movement. At the proximal end, the ulna has the olecranon process. This hook-like tip fits into the olecranon fossa of the humerus and forms the ulnohumeral part of the elbow joint. That hinge-like joint allows flexion and extension at the forearm while...

bones of the upper limb: radius

Radius: Forearm Motion and Wrist Support

The radius is the longer bone in the forearm, and it plays a key role in elbow, wrist, and hand movement. It sits beside the ulna in the antebrachium, which is the forearm. At the upper end, the radius meets the capitulum of the humerus and the radial notch of the ulna to help form the elbow joint. The lower end of the radius connects with the ulna through the ulnar notch. This connection forms the distal radioulnar joint. The radius also joins the scaphoid and lunate carpal bones at the wrist...

bones of the lower limb: femur and patella

bones-of-the-lower-limb-femur-and-patella

Femur and Patella: Knee and Hip Support

The femur and patella help support movement at the hip and knee. The femur is the longest and strongest bone in the body. It spans the thigh region and connects the hip joint to the knee joint. The head of the femur fits into the acetabulum of the hip bone. A small dip on the medial side of the femoral head is the fovea capitis. This is where the ligament of the head of the femur attaches. That weak ligament runs between the femur and acetabulum and helps support the hip joint. Below the head...

bones of the lower limb: tibia and fibula

Lower Leg Bones and Ankle Landmarks

The tibia and fibula are the two bones of the lower leg. The tibia is the main weight-bearing bone. It is larger than the fibula and is the second longest bone in the body. It lies close to the skin, so many of its parts are easy to feel. The upper end of the tibia helps form the knee joint. Its medial condyle and lateral condyle join with the condyles of the femur. Between them is the intercondylar eminence, an uneven raised area that anchors two supporting ligaments of the knee. The tibial...

changes in the appendicular skeleton with age

changes-in-the-appendicular-skeleton-with-age

How Limb Buds Form the Appendicular Skeleton

The appendicular skeleton begins as limb buds on the side of the early embryo. The upper limb bud appears near the end of the fourth week of development, and the lower limb bud follows soon after. Each limb bud has a core of mesenchyme, which is a loose embryonic tissue, covered by ectoderm, the outer cell layer. A thickened part of the ectoderm forms the apical ectodermal ridge. This ridge signals the mesenchyme below it to divide quickly and drive limb outgrowth. As the limb bud grows...

key terms and concepts

Learn the main humerus landmarks, from the head and tubercles to the trochlea, capitulum, and fossae that help form the shoulder and elbow joints.

Humerus Landmarks and Elbow Joints | JoVE K12

anatomy and physiology

JoVE Core Anatomy and Physiology showcases the anatomical and physiological details of the human body in comprehensive, clear, and engaging video animations. This collection of lessons focuses on the structures, components, functions, and requirements of the human body. It is complemented by scientist-in-action videos that demonstrate the application of this knowledge in real-world medical and research settings.

Florida Department of Education

High School

Life Science

SC.912.L.14

SC.912.L.14.13

SC.912.L.14.14

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Muscular System

Humerus Landmarks and Elbow Joints

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