The humerus is the largest bone of the upper limb, articulating with the scapula at the glenohumeral joint and with the radius and ulna at the elbow joint.

Figure 1. The humerus

Description

The humerus can be divided into a proximal end (belonging to the shoulder), a middle-piece known as shaft, and a distal end (belonging to the arm).

Figure 2. The humerus

Proximal end of the humerus

This portion of the humerus consists of the head, anatomical neck, greater and lesser tubercles, surgical neck, and the superior half of its shaft.

  • The head has a half-spherical shape, which projects medially and superiorly to articulate with the scapula's glenoid cavity.
  • The anatomical neck is a very short, narrow constriction that

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