Humerus

Humerus
Position of humerus (shown in red) from an anterior viewpoint
Details
Identifiers
Latin	humerus
MeSH	D006811
TA	A02.4.04.001
FMA	13303
Anatomical terms of bone [edit on Wikidata]

The humerus (/ˈhjuːmərəs/, plural: humeri) is a long bone in the arm or forelimb that runs from the shoulder to the elbow. It connects the scapula and the two bones of the lower arm, the radius and ulna, and consists of three sections. The humeral upper extremity consists of a rounded head, a narrow neck, and two short processes (tubercles, sometimes called tuberosities). The body is cylindrical in its upper portion, and more prismatic below. The lower extremity consists of 2 epicondyles, 2 processes (trochlea & capitulum), and 3 fossae (radial fossa, coronoid fossa, and olecranon fossa). As well as its true anatomical neck, the constriction below the greater and lesser tubercles of the humerus is referred to as its surgical neck due to its tendency to fracture, thus often becoming the focus of surgeons.

Etymology[edit]

The word "humerus" is derived from Latin: humerus, umerus meaning upper arm, shoulder, and is linguistically related to Gothic ams shoulder and Greek ōmos.^[1]

Structure[edit]

Articulations[edit]

At the shoulder, the head of the humerus articulates with the glenoid fossa of the scapula. More distally, at the elbow, the capitulum of the humerus articulates with the head of the radius, and the trochlea of the humerus articulates with the trochlear notch of the ulna.

Diagram of the human shoulder joint, front view 

Diagram of the human shoulder joint, back view 

The left shoulder and acromioclavicular joints, and the proper ligaments of the scapula. 

Head of humerus 

The supinator. 

Nerves[edit]

The axillary nerve is located at the proximal end, against the shoulder girdle. Dislocation of the humerus's glenohumeral joint, has the potential to injure the axillary nerve or the axillary artery. Signs and symptoms of this dislocation include a loss of the normal shoulder contour and a palpable depression under the acromion.

The radial nerve follows the humerus closely. At the midshaft of the humerus, the radial nerve travels from the posterior to the anterior aspect of the bone in the spiral groove. A fracture of the humerus in this region can result in radial nerve injury.

The ulnar nerve lies at the distal end of the humerus near the elbow. When struck, it can cause a distinct tingling sensation, and sometimes a significant amount of pain. It is sometimes popularly referred to as 'the funny bone', possibly due to this sensation (a "funny" feeling), as well as the fact that the bone's name is a homophone of 'humorous'.^[2] It lies posterior to the medial epicondyle, and is easily damaged in elbow injuries.^{[citation needed]}

Horizontal section at the middle of upper arm. 

Horizontal section of upper arm. 

Humerus 

Function[edit]

Muscular attachment[edit]

The deltoid originates on the lateral third of the clavicle, acromion and the crest of the spine of the scapula. It is inserted on the deltoid tuberosity of the humerus and has several actions including abduction, extension, and circumduction of the shoulder. The supraspinatus also originates on the spine of the scapula. It inserts on the greater tubercle of the humerus, and assists in abduction of the shoulder.

The pectoralis major, teres major, and latissimus dorsi insert at the intertubercular groove of the humerus. They work to adduct and medially, or internally, rotate the humerus.

The infraspinatus and teres minor insert on the greater tubercle, and work to laterally, or externally, rotate the humerus. In contrast, the subscapularis muscle inserts onto the lesser tubercle and works to medially, or internally, rotate the humerus.

The biceps brachii, brachialis, and brachioradialis (which attaches distally) act to flex the elbow. (The biceps do not attach to the humerus.) The triceps brachii and anconeus extend the elbow, and attach to the posterior side of the humerus.

The four muscles of supraspinatus, infraspinatus, teres minor and subscapularis form a musculo-ligamentous girdle called the rotator cuff. This cuff stabilizes the very mobile but inherently unstable glenohumeral joint. The other muscles are used as counterbalances for the actions of lifting/pulling and pressing/pushing.

Left humerus. Anterior view.

Supraspinatus muscle Latissimus dorsi muscle Pectoralis major muscle Deltoid muscle Brachioradialis Extensor carpi radialis longus muscle Common extensor tendon Subscapularis muscle Teres major muscle Coracobrachialis muscle Brachialis muscle Pronator teres muscle Common flexor tendon

Left humerus. Posterior view.

Other animals[edit]

Primitive fossils of amphibians had little, if any, shaft connecting the upper and lower extremities, making their limbs very short. In most living tetrapods, however, the humerus has a similar form to that of humans; connecting their extremities. In many reptiles and some primitive mammals, the lower extremity includes a large foramen, or opening, which allows nerves and blood vessels pass through.^[3]

Additional images[edit]

• 

  Position of humerus (shown in red). Animation.

• 

  Left humerus. Animation.

• 

  Human arm bones diagram.

• 

  Humerus - inferior epiphysis. Anterior view.

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  Trochlea. Posterior view.

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  Humerus - inferior epiphysis. Posterior view.

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  Humerus - superior epiphysis. Anterior view.

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  Humerus - superior epiphysis. Posterior view.

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  Elbow joint. Deep dissection. Anterior view.

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  Elbow joint. Deep dissection. Posterior view.

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  Elbow joint. Deep dissection. Posterior view.

Ossification[edit]

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Upper end Accompanies shaft in 20th year. The parts which form upper end - Head Starts from 1st year, Greater tubercle Starts from 3rd year, Lesser tubercle Starts from the fifth year.

Lower end Accompanies shaft in 16th to 17th year. The parts which form lower end are - Capitulum and the lateral flange of trochlea Sarts from 2nd year, Medial part of trochlea starts from 10th year, Lateral epicondyle starts from 12th year and Medial epicondyle starts from the sixth year.^[4]

See also[edit]

• Humerus fracture

References[edit]

• This article incorporates text in the public domain from page 209 of the 20th edition of Gray's Anatomy (1918)

External links[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Humerus.

•  "Humerus". New International Encyclopedia. 1905.