![\"\"](\"https:\/\/meddists.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/humerus1.png\")
<\/a>Description<\/h3>\n<\/span>\n\n\nThe humerus can be divided into a proximal end<\/strong> (belonging to the shoulder), a middle-piece known as shaft,<\/strong> and a distal end <\/strong>(belonging to the arm).<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/meddists.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/humerus_openstax-475x600.png\")
<\/a>Figure 2. The humerus<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n<\/span>\nProximal end of the humerus<\/h3>\n<\/span>\n\n\nThis portion of the humerus consists of the head<\/strong>, anatomical neck<\/strong>, greater and lesser tubercles<\/strong>, surgical neck<\/strong>, and the superior half of its shaft<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n- The head has a half-spherical shape, which projects medially and superiorly to articulate with the scapula’s glenoid cavity<\/strong>.<\/li>
- The anatomical neck is a very short, narrow constriction that lies laterally, between the head<\/strong> and the greater and lesser tubercles<\/strong>, and medially, between the head<\/strong> and the shaft<\/strong>.<\/li>
- The greater and lesser tubercles are prominent landmarks that function as attachment sites for the four rotator cuff muscles of the glenohumeral joint<\/strong>. In position, the greater tubercle is lateral, while the lesser one is anterior. Between the tubercles, the intertubercular sulcus<\/strong> (bicipital groove) functions as a passage for the tendon of the long head of the biceps brachii<\/strong>. Various roughenings near this sulcus, including the large V-shaped deltoid tuberosity<\/strong>, function as attachment sites for diverse muscles of the region.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
The surgical neck<\/strong> lies between the previously mentioned structures and the shaft of the humerus. It has strict relations with neurovascular structures like the axillary nerve<\/strong> and the posterior circumflex humeral artery<\/strong>. Its name is due to the clinical value it has during humeral fractures.<\/p>\n\n\n<\/span>\nShaft<\/h3>\n<\/span>\n\n\nThe shaft<\/strong> has three characteristics with three components each:<\/p>\n\n\n\n- Three surfaces (anterolateral<\/strong>, anteromedial<\/strong>, and posterior<\/strong>)<\/li>
- Three borders (anterior<\/strong>, lateral<\/strong>, and medial<\/strong>)<\/li>
- Three main features (linear roughening<\/strong>, deltoid tuberosity<\/strong>, and a radial groove<\/strong>)<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n<\/span>\n
Features<\/h4>\n<\/span>\n\n\n- The linear roughening<\/strong> (sometimes known as the crest for triceps<\/strong>) is found posteriorly in the superior 1\/3 of the shaft, starting from below the surgical neck, crossing downwards until the deltoid tuberosity<\/strong>.
- It is the point of origin of the lateral head of the triceps brachii muscle.<\/li><\/ul><\/li>
- The deltoid tuberosity<\/strong> is found laterally, at the end of the linear roughening.
- It allows the insertion of the deltoid muscle.<\/li><\/ul><\/li>
- The radial groove<\/strong> is found in the middle 1\/3 of the posterior surface and adjacent part of the anterolateral surface.
- It passes down parallel to the posterior margin of the deltoid tuberosity.<\/li>
- It provides space for the radial nerve<\/strong> and the profound brachial artery<\/strong>.<\/li><\/ul><\/li>
- The coracobrachialis muscle inserts on the medial border of the shaft, opposite to and below the deltoid tuberosity.<\/li>
- The medial and lateral borders attach to an intermuscular septum<\/strong>, a connective tissue sheath that divides the anterior and posterior muscular compartments of the arm.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n<\/span>\n
Distal end of the humerus<\/h3>\n<\/span>\n\n\nThis portion of the humerus contains the supracondylar ridges, epicondyles, condyle<\/strong>, and three fossae<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n- The medial <\/strong>and lateral supracondylar ridges<\/strong>. The lateral ridge serves for the insertion of the muscles of the posterior compartment of the arm.<\/li>
- Two epicondyles <\/strong>(epi- meaning upper, condyle meaning knuckle):
- The medial epicondyle<\/strong>, a large bony protuberance on the medial side of the elbow, bears a large oval impression<\/strong> for the insertion of muscles in the anterior compartment of the forearm<\/strong>. The ulnar nerve passes around its posterior surface<\/strong>.<\/li>
- The lateral epicondyle<\/strong>, lateral to the capitulum, has a large irregular impression<\/strong> for the insertion of muscles in the posterior compartment of the forearm<\/strong>.<\/li><\/ul><\/li>
- The condyle<\/strong>, which presents its two articular portions, the capitulum<\/strong> (Latin for \u201clittle head\u201d) and the trochlea <\/strong>(Latin for \u201cpulley\u201d), articulating with the radius<\/strong> and ulna<\/strong>, respectively.<\/li>
- Three fossae<\/strong> appear superior to the trochlea and capitulum:
- The radial fossa<\/strong> appears immediately superior to the capitulum on the anterolateral surface of the humerus. It serves to accommodate the edge of the head of the radius during the flexion of the arm.<\/li>
- The coronoid fossa<\/strong> appears adjacent to the radial fossa and superior to the trochlea. It serves to accommodate the coronoid process of the ulna during the extension of the arm.<\/li>
- The olecranon fossa<\/strong>, the largest one, appears immediately superior to the trochlea on the posterior surface. It serves to accommodate the olecranon of the ulna during the extension of the elbow.<\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n
![\"\"\/](\"https:\/\/meddists.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/humerus9.png\")
<\/a>Figure 3. The proximal end of the humerus<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n![\"\"\/](\"https:\/\/meddists.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/humerus7.png\")
<\/a>Figure 4. The proximal end of the humerus<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n![\"\"\/](\"https:\/\/meddists.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/humerus1.png\")
<\/a>Figure 5. The anatomical and surgical necks<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/meddists.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/surfaces_borders_humerus_21-300x175.png\")
<\/a>Figure 6. Surfaces and borders of the humerus<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/meddists.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/humerus-300x187.png\")
<\/a>Figure 7. The linear roughening and deltoid tuberosity<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/meddists.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/groove1-300x175.png\")
<\/a>Figure 8. The radial groove and lateral border <\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/meddists.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/humerus-21-300x160.png\")
<\/a>Figure 9. The olecranon fossa<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/meddists.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/coronoid_fossa1-300x161.png\")
<\/a>Figure 10. The coronoid fossa<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/meddists.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/condyle1-300x169.png\")
<\/a>Figure 11. Parts of the distal end of the humerus<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/meddists.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/epicondyle1-300x169.png\")
<\/a>Figure 12. Epicondyles<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/meddists.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/crests1-300x169.png\")
<\/a>Figure 13. Supracondylar crests<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<\/span>\nAdditional resources and further reading<\/h3>\n<\/span>\n\n\n- Clinically Oriented Anatomy (8th ed.) page 676<\/li>
- Gray’s Anatomy for Students (4th ed.) page 769<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n<\/span>\n
References<\/h4>\n<\/span>\n\n\n- Fiac, Moore Keith MSc PhD Hon. DSc, et al. Clinically Oriented Anatomy<\/em>. 8th ed., LWW, 2017.<\/li>
- Faaa, Drake Richard PhD, et al. Gray\u2019s Anatomy for Students<\/em>. 4th ed., Elsevier, 2019.<\/li>
- Figure 2 by OpenStax, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0<\/li><\/ul>\n<\/span>
<\/a>Proximal end of the humerus<\/h3>\n<\/span>\n\n\nThis portion of the humerus consists of the head<\/strong>, anatomical neck<\/strong>, greater and lesser tubercles<\/strong>, surgical neck<\/strong>, and the superior half of its shaft<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n- The head has a half-spherical shape, which projects medially and superiorly to articulate with the scapula’s glenoid cavity<\/strong>.<\/li>
- The anatomical neck is a very short, narrow constriction that lies laterally, between the head<\/strong> and the greater and lesser tubercles<\/strong>, and medially, between the head<\/strong> and the shaft<\/strong>.<\/li>
- The greater and lesser tubercles are prominent landmarks that function as attachment sites for the four rotator cuff muscles of the glenohumeral joint<\/strong>. In position, the greater tubercle is lateral, while the lesser one is anterior. Between the tubercles, the intertubercular sulcus<\/strong> (bicipital groove) functions as a passage for the tendon of the long head of the biceps brachii<\/strong>. Various roughenings near this sulcus, including the large V-shaped deltoid tuberosity<\/strong>, function as attachment sites for diverse muscles of the region.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
The surgical neck<\/strong> lies between the previously mentioned structures and the shaft of the humerus. It has strict relations with neurovascular structures like the axillary nerve<\/strong> and the posterior circumflex humeral artery<\/strong>. Its name is due to the clinical value it has during humeral fractures.<\/p>\n\n\n<\/span>\nShaft<\/h3>\n<\/span>\n\n\nThe shaft<\/strong> has three characteristics with three components each:<\/p>\n\n\n\n- Three surfaces (anterolateral<\/strong>, anteromedial<\/strong>, and posterior<\/strong>)<\/li>
- Three borders (anterior<\/strong>, lateral<\/strong>, and medial<\/strong>)<\/li>
- Three main features (linear roughening<\/strong>, deltoid tuberosity<\/strong>, and a radial groove<\/strong>)<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n<\/span>\n
Features<\/h4>\n<\/span>\n\n\n- The linear roughening<\/strong> (sometimes known as the crest for triceps<\/strong>) is found posteriorly in the superior 1\/3 of the shaft, starting from below the surgical neck, crossing downwards until the deltoid tuberosity<\/strong>.
- It is the point of origin of the lateral head of the triceps brachii muscle.<\/li><\/ul><\/li>
- The deltoid tuberosity<\/strong> is found laterally, at the end of the linear roughening.
- It allows the insertion of the deltoid muscle.<\/li><\/ul><\/li>
- The radial groove<\/strong> is found in the middle 1\/3 of the posterior surface and adjacent part of the anterolateral surface.
- It passes down parallel to the posterior margin of the deltoid tuberosity.<\/li>
- It provides space for the radial nerve<\/strong> and the profound brachial artery<\/strong>.<\/li><\/ul><\/li>
- The coracobrachialis muscle inserts on the medial border of the shaft, opposite to and below the deltoid tuberosity.<\/li>
- The medial and lateral borders attach to an intermuscular septum<\/strong>, a connective tissue sheath that divides the anterior and posterior muscular compartments of the arm.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n<\/span>\n
Distal end of the humerus<\/h3>\n<\/span>\n\n\nThis portion of the humerus contains the supracondylar ridges, epicondyles, condyle<\/strong>, and three fossae<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n- The medial <\/strong>and lateral supracondylar ridges<\/strong>. The lateral ridge serves for the insertion of the muscles of the posterior compartment of the arm.<\/li>
- Two epicondyles <\/strong>(epi- meaning upper, condyle meaning knuckle):
- The medial epicondyle<\/strong>, a large bony protuberance on the medial side of the elbow, bears a large oval impression<\/strong> for the insertion of muscles in the anterior compartment of the forearm<\/strong>. The ulnar nerve passes around its posterior surface<\/strong>.<\/li>
- The lateral epicondyle<\/strong>, lateral to the capitulum, has a large irregular impression<\/strong> for the insertion of muscles in the posterior compartment of the forearm<\/strong>.<\/li><\/ul><\/li>
- The condyle<\/strong>, which presents its two articular portions, the capitulum<\/strong> (Latin for \u201clittle head\u201d) and the trochlea <\/strong>(Latin for \u201cpulley\u201d), articulating with the radius<\/strong> and ulna<\/strong>, respectively.<\/li>
- Three fossae<\/strong> appear superior to the trochlea and capitulum:
- The radial fossa<\/strong> appears immediately superior to the capitulum on the anterolateral surface of the humerus. It serves to accommodate the edge of the head of the radius during the flexion of the arm.<\/li>
- The coronoid fossa<\/strong> appears adjacent to the radial fossa and superior to the trochlea. It serves to accommodate the coronoid process of the ulna during the extension of the arm.<\/li>
- The olecranon fossa<\/strong>, the largest one, appears immediately superior to the trochlea on the posterior surface. It serves to accommodate the olecranon of the ulna during the extension of the elbow.<\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n
<\/a>Figure 3. The proximal end of the humerus<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<\/a>Figure 4. The proximal end of the humerus<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<\/a>Figure 5. The anatomical and surgical necks<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<\/a>Figure 6. Surfaces and borders of the humerus<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<\/a>Figure 7. The linear roughening and deltoid tuberosity<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<\/a>Figure 8. The radial groove and lateral border <\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<\/a>Figure 9. The olecranon fossa<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<\/a>Figure 10. The coronoid fossa<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<\/a>Figure 11. Parts of the distal end of the humerus<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<\/a>Figure 12. Epicondyles<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<\/a>Figure 13. Supracondylar crests<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<\/span>\nAdditional resources and further reading<\/h3>\n<\/span>\n\n\n- Clinically Oriented Anatomy (8th ed.) page 676<\/li>
- Gray’s Anatomy for Students (4th ed.) page 769<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n<\/span>\n
References<\/h4>\n<\/span>\n\n\n- Fiac, Moore Keith MSc PhD Hon. DSc, et al. Clinically Oriented Anatomy<\/em>. 8th ed., LWW, 2017.<\/li>
- Faaa, Drake Richard PhD, et al. Gray\u2019s Anatomy for Students<\/em>. 4th ed., Elsevier, 2019.<\/li>
- Figure 2 by OpenStax, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0<\/li><\/ul>\n<\/span>
- The head has a half-spherical shape, which projects medially and superiorly to articulate with the scapula’s glenoid cavity<\/strong>.<\/li>
- The anatomical neck is a very short, narrow constriction that lies laterally, between the head<\/strong> and the greater and lesser tubercles<\/strong>, and medially, between the head<\/strong> and the shaft<\/strong>.<\/li>
- The greater and lesser tubercles are prominent landmarks that function as attachment sites for the four rotator cuff muscles of the glenohumeral joint<\/strong>. In position, the greater tubercle is lateral, while the lesser one is anterior. Between the tubercles, the intertubercular sulcus<\/strong> (bicipital groove) functions as a passage for the tendon of the long head of the biceps brachii<\/strong>. Various roughenings near this sulcus, including the large V-shaped deltoid tuberosity<\/strong>, function as attachment sites for diverse muscles of the region.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
The surgical neck<\/strong> lies between the previously mentioned structures and the shaft of the humerus. It has strict relations with neurovascular structures like the axillary nerve<\/strong> and the posterior circumflex humeral artery<\/strong>. Its name is due to the clinical value it has during humeral fractures.<\/p>\n\n\n<\/span>\n
Shaft<\/h3>\n<\/span>\n\n\n
The shaft<\/strong> has three characteristics with three components each:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- Three surfaces (anterolateral<\/strong>, anteromedial<\/strong>, and posterior<\/strong>)<\/li>
- Three borders (anterior<\/strong>, lateral<\/strong>, and medial<\/strong>)<\/li>
- Three main features (linear roughening<\/strong>, deltoid tuberosity<\/strong>, and a radial groove<\/strong>)<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n<\/span>\n
Features<\/h4>\n<\/span>\n\n\n
- The linear roughening<\/strong> (sometimes known as the crest for triceps<\/strong>) is found posteriorly in the superior 1\/3 of the shaft, starting from below the surgical neck, crossing downwards until the deltoid tuberosity<\/strong>.
- It is the point of origin of the lateral head of the triceps brachii muscle.<\/li><\/ul><\/li>
- The deltoid tuberosity<\/strong> is found laterally, at the end of the linear roughening.
- It allows the insertion of the deltoid muscle.<\/li><\/ul><\/li>
- The radial groove<\/strong> is found in the middle 1\/3 of the posterior surface and adjacent part of the anterolateral surface.
- It passes down parallel to the posterior margin of the deltoid tuberosity.<\/li>
- It provides space for the radial nerve<\/strong> and the profound brachial artery<\/strong>.<\/li><\/ul><\/li>
- The coracobrachialis muscle inserts on the medial border of the shaft, opposite to and below the deltoid tuberosity.<\/li>
- The medial and lateral borders attach to an intermuscular septum<\/strong>, a connective tissue sheath that divides the anterior and posterior muscular compartments of the arm.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n<\/span>\n
Distal end of the humerus<\/h3>\n<\/span>\n\n\n
This portion of the humerus contains the supracondylar ridges, epicondyles, condyle<\/strong>, and three fossae<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- The medial <\/strong>and lateral supracondylar ridges<\/strong>. The lateral ridge serves for the insertion of the muscles of the posterior compartment of the arm.<\/li>
- Two epicondyles <\/strong>(epi- meaning upper, condyle meaning knuckle):
- The medial epicondyle<\/strong>, a large bony protuberance on the medial side of the elbow, bears a large oval impression<\/strong> for the insertion of muscles in the anterior compartment of the forearm<\/strong>. The ulnar nerve passes around its posterior surface<\/strong>.<\/li>
- The lateral epicondyle<\/strong>, lateral to the capitulum, has a large irregular impression<\/strong> for the insertion of muscles in the posterior compartment of the forearm<\/strong>.<\/li><\/ul><\/li>
- The condyle<\/strong>, which presents its two articular portions, the capitulum<\/strong> (Latin for \u201clittle head\u201d) and the trochlea <\/strong>(Latin for \u201cpulley\u201d), articulating with the radius<\/strong> and ulna<\/strong>, respectively.<\/li>
- Three fossae<\/strong> appear superior to the trochlea and capitulum:
- The radial fossa<\/strong> appears immediately superior to the capitulum on the anterolateral surface of the humerus. It serves to accommodate the edge of the head of the radius during the flexion of the arm.<\/li>
- The coronoid fossa<\/strong> appears adjacent to the radial fossa and superior to the trochlea. It serves to accommodate the coronoid process of the ulna during the extension of the arm.<\/li>
- The olecranon fossa<\/strong>, the largest one, appears immediately superior to the trochlea on the posterior surface. It serves to accommodate the olecranon of the ulna during the extension of the elbow.<\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n<\/a>Figure 3. The proximal end of the humerus<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n <\/a>Figure 4. The proximal end of the humerus<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n <\/a>Figure 5. The anatomical and surgical necks<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n <\/a>Figure 6. Surfaces and borders of the humerus<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n <\/a>Figure 7. The linear roughening and deltoid tuberosity<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n <\/a>Figure 8. The radial groove and lateral border <\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n <\/a>Figure 9. The olecranon fossa<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n <\/a>Figure 10. The coronoid fossa<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n <\/a>Figure 11. Parts of the distal end of the humerus<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n <\/a>Figure 12. Epicondyles<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n <\/a>Figure 13. Supracondylar crests<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<\/span>\n Additional resources and further reading<\/h3>\n<\/span>\n\n\n
- Clinically Oriented Anatomy (8th ed.) page 676<\/li>
- Gray’s Anatomy for Students (4th ed.) page 769<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n<\/span>\n
References<\/h4>\n<\/span>\n\n\n
- Fiac, Moore Keith MSc PhD Hon. DSc, et al. Clinically Oriented Anatomy<\/em>. 8th ed., LWW, 2017.<\/li>
- Faaa, Drake Richard PhD, et al. Gray\u2019s Anatomy for Students<\/em>. 4th ed., Elsevier, 2019.<\/li>
- Figure 2 by OpenStax, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0<\/li><\/ul>\n<\/span>
- Faaa, Drake Richard PhD, et al. Gray\u2019s Anatomy for Students<\/em>. 4th ed., Elsevier, 2019.<\/li>
- Fiac, Moore Keith MSc PhD Hon. DSc, et al. Clinically Oriented Anatomy<\/em>. 8th ed., LWW, 2017.<\/li>
- The coronoid fossa<\/strong> appears adjacent to the radial fossa and superior to the trochlea. It serves to accommodate the coronoid process of the ulna during the extension of the arm.<\/li>
- The lateral epicondyle<\/strong>, lateral to the capitulum, has a large irregular impression<\/strong> for the insertion of muscles in the posterior compartment of the forearm<\/strong>.<\/li><\/ul><\/li>
- Two epicondyles <\/strong>(epi- meaning upper, condyle meaning knuckle):
- Three borders (anterior<\/strong>, lateral<\/strong>, and medial<\/strong>)<\/li>
- The anatomical neck is a very short, narrow constriction that lies laterally, between the head<\/strong> and the greater and lesser tubercles<\/strong>, and medially, between the head<\/strong> and the shaft<\/strong>.<\/li>