SEDATIVE PHYSIO

(Registered under Govt. of India)

Subject – Anatomy
Topic – Humerus

Table of Content

1. Introduction
2. Structure
3. Attachments
4. Relations
5. Clinical Anatomy
Introduction
• Humerus is the bone of arm
• It is strongest and longest bone of the upper extremity
• It is a type of long bone.
• It has 3 articulations
o Glenohumeral Articulation – Articulation between glenoid cavity
of scapula and the head to humerus.
o Humeroradial Articulation – Articulation between capitulum of
the humerus and the fovea of radial head.
o Humeroulnar Articulation – Articulation between trochlea of the
humerus and the trochlear notch of the ulna.

Anatomical Position & Side Determination

• Head to humerus should be directed superomedially

• Lesser tubercle should be directed anteriorly
• Olecranon fossa should be posteroinferiorly
• Direction of head of humerus will decide the side of bone (If the head
faces left side, that’s the right humerus and vice-versa)

Structures

• Upper End
o Head
▪ One third of a sphere
▪ Directed superomedially and little posteriorly
▪ Articulates with the glenoid cavity of scapula and form the
shoulder joint
o Neck
 ▪ Anatomical Neck – Separates head from rest of the upper
end
▪ Surgical Neck – Separates the upper end with shaft. It is
the common fracture point.
▪ Morphological Neck – It is present 0.5 cm above the
surgical neck.
o Tubercle
▪ Greater Tubercle – It is elevation present on the lateral
aspect of the upper end. It has 3 impressions (Upper,
Middle & Lower).
▪ Lesser Tubercle – It is an elevation present on the anterior
aspect of upper end.
o Groove or Sulcus
▪ Biccipital Groove
• Also called Intertubercular sulcus
• Vertical deep groove between greater and lesser
tubercle
• It contains the long head of biceps brachii
• It has two lips (Lateral and Medial)
• The area between two lips is called floor
• Lower End
o Epicondyles
▪ Medial Epicondyle
• Present on medial side of lower end
▪ Lateral Epicondyle
• Present on lateral side of lower end.
o Supracondylar Ridge
▪ Medial Supracondylar Ridge
• Sharp structure just above the Medial Epicondyle
▪ Lateral Supracondylar Ridge
• Sharp structure just above the Lateral Epicondyle
o Fossa
▪ Radial fossa
• Present on anterolateral aspect of lower end
• Articulate with radial rim during full elbow flexion
▪ Coronoid Fossa
• Present on the anteromedial aspect of the lower end.
• Articulate with ulnar coronoid process during full
elbow flexion
▪ Olecranon Fossa
• Present on the posterior aspect of the lower end.
• Articulate with ulnar olecranon process during full
elbow extension
o Trochlea
▪ Present on inferomedial aspect of the lower end of
humerus.
▪ Articulates with the trochlear notch of ulna
▪ Forms humeroulnar joint
▪ Has two lips – Medial and Lateral Lip
o Capitulum
▪ Present on inferolateral aspect of lower end
 ▪ Articulates with fovea of radius
▪ Forms humeroradial articulation
• Shaft
o Borders
▪ Anterior Border
• Superiorly it forms the lateral lip of bicipital groove
• Inferiorly it is smooth and rounded
▪ Medial Border
• Superiorly it forms the medial lip of bicipital groove
• Inferiorly it forms the medial supracondylar ridge
▪ Lateral Border
• Superiorly it is inprominent
• Inferiorly it forms the lateral supracondylar ridge
o Surfaces
▪ Anteromedial Surface
• Between anterior border and medial border
• On its middle, nutrient foramen is present
▪ Anterolateral Surface
• Between anterior and lateral border
• Little above the middle part, deltoid tuberosity
present
• Behind deltoid tuberosity, radial groove is present
▪ Posterior Surface
• Between medial and lateral border
• Upper part is marked by oblique ridge
• Middle one third is crossed by the radial groove
Attachements

• Muscles (24)
o Inserted (09)
▪ Subscapularis : On Lesser tubercle
▪ Supraspinatus : On greater tubercle (Upper impression)
▪ Infraspinatus : On greater tubercle (Middle impression)
▪ Teres minor : On greater tubercle (Lower impression)
▪ Teres major : Medial lip of Bicipital Groove
▪ Latissimus Dorsi : Floor of Bicipital Groove
▪ Pectoralis Major : Lateral lip of Bicipital Groove
▪ Coracobrachialis : Shaft of humerus
▪ Deltoid : Shaft of humerus
o Originated (15)
▪ Brachialis : Shaft of humerus
▪ Brachioradialis : Lat Supra. Ridge (Upper 2/3rd)
▪ Ext. Carpi Radialis Longus : Lat Supra. Ridge (Upper 1/3rd)
▪ Supinator : Lateral Epicondyle
▪ Anconeus : Lateral Epicondyle (Post. Surface)
▪ Pronator Teres : Medial Supra. Ridge (Lower
1/3rd)
▪ Ext. Carpr Radialis Brevis
▪ Ext. Carpi Ulnaris Common
▪ Ext. Digitorum Extensor
▪ Ext. Digiti Minimi
• Common extensor originates from Lateral Epicondyle
▪ Flexor carpi ulnaris
▪ Flexor carpi radialis Common
▪ Flexor digitorum superficialis Flexor
▪ Palmaris Brevis
 • Common flexor originates from medial epicondyle
▪ Triceps (It has 3 heads)
• Long Head – Infraglenoid tubercle of scapula
• Lateral Head – Post. Surface of humerus (Above radial
groove)
• Medial Head – Post. Surface of humerus (Below Radial
Groove)