Name: ulna: elbow and wrist support bone
Uploaded: 2025-05-22T09:05:58.000Z
Duration: 1 min 15 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: Ulna

The ulna and radius are parallel bones that constitute the forearm. These bones are joined at the proximal and distal ends by the radioulnar joints and connected by a flat, flexible interosseous membrane across their length.
The ulna is the longer of the two bones and has two projections at the proximal end &#8212; the olecranon&#160; and coronoid processes. A deep trochlear notch between the two processes fits the trochlea of the humerus, forming a hinge joint and allowing the elbow to flex.
During flexing, the coronoid process also slides into the humeral coronoid fossa, forming a V-shaped angle between the forearm and arm.
During arm extension, the olecranon fossa of the humerus holds the olecranon of the ulna preventing the bones of the forearm from sliding beyond a certain anatomical point.
The ulnar shaft ends in a disc-shaped ulnar head that joins the wrist bones. The ulnar head is separated from the wrist bones by a triangular fibrocartilage which stabilizes the distal radioulnar joint and supports the carpal bones of the wrist.

bones of the upper limb: ulna

The ulna and radius are parallel bones of the antebrachium or the forearm. The ulna lies medially and consists of a bony tip called the olecranon process at its proximal end. This hook-like projection articulates with the olecranon fossa of the humerus and forms the &#34;hinged&#34; ulnohumeral part of the elbow joint. This joint facilitates forearm extension and flexion while preventing its hyperextension. Similarly, the coronoid process, another bony projection on the proximal/anterior side of the ulna, articulates with the coronoid fossa of the humerus and serves as the insertion point for the muscle brachialis.
Lateral to the coronoid process is a narrow depression called the radial notch that helps attach the radius and forms the proximal radioulnar joint. This joint is essential for the supination and pronation of the forearm. Distally, the ulnar head articulates with the radius forming the distal radioulnar joint. Projecting from the posterior side of the ulnar head is the styloid process of the ulna, a short bony projection. The styloid process attaches triangular fibrocartilage and radioulnar ligaments, stabilizing the wrist joint.
Several muscles attached to the ulna, including the pronator teres, flexor carpi ulnaris, flexor digitorum superficialis, flexor digitorum profundus, and pronator quadratus, facilitate elbow and wrist joints movement such as flexion and extension, pronation, and supination.
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 ulna and radius are parallel bones of the antebrachium or the forearm. The ulna lies medially and consists of a bony tip called the olecranon process ...

Education

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Anatomy and Physiology

Unit 1

The Appendicular Skeleton

KEY TERMS AND CONCEPTS

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 helping prevent hyperextension.

The coronoid process sits on the proximal, anterior side of the ulna. It meets the coronoid fossa of the humerus and serves as the insertion point for the brachialis muscle. Lateral to it is the radial notch, a narrow depression that helps attach the radius and forms the proximal radioulnar joint.

The proximal radioulnar joint is important for supination and pronation of the forearm. Farther down, the ulnar head at the distal end joins the radius to form the distal radioulnar joint. The styloid process of the ulna projects from the posterior side of the ulnar head and attaches triangular fibrocartilage and radioulnar ligaments, which help stabilize the wrist joint.

Several muscles attach to the ulna and help move the elbow and wrist. These include the pronator teres, flexor carpi ulnaris, flexor digitorum superficialis, flexor digitorum profundus, and pronator quadratus. Together, these muscles support flexion and extension, as well as pronation and supination.

Ulna: Elbow and Wrist Support Bone

bones of the upper limb: humerus

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 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 how the ulna helps form the elbow and wrist joints, with key landmarks like the olecranon process, radial notch, and styloid process.

Ulna: Elbow and Wrist Support Bone | JoVE K12

anatomy and physiology

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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

Ulna: Elbow and Wrist Support Bone

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