Humerus

The humerus (/ˈhjuːmərəs/, plural: humeri) is a long bone in the arm 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.Diagram of the human shoulder joint, front viewDiagram of the human shoulder joint, back viewThe left shoulder and acromioclavicular joints, and the proper ligaments of the scapula.Head of humerusThe supinator.Horizontal section at the middle of upper arm.Horizontal section of upper arm.HumerusPosition of humerus (shown in red). Animation.Left humerus. Animation.3D imageHuman arm bones diagram.Humerus - inferior epiphysis. Anterior view.Trochlea. Posterior view.Humerus - inferior epiphysis. Posterior view.Humerus - superior epiphysis. Anterior view.Humerus - superior epiphysis. Posterior view.Elbow joint. Deep dissection. Anterior view.Elbow joint. Deep dissection. Posterior view.Elbow joint. Deep dissection. Posterior view. The humerus (/ˈhjuːmərəs/, plural: humeri) is a long bone in the arm 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. The word 'humerus' is derived from Latin: humerus, umerus meaning upper arm, shoulder, and is linguistically related to Gothic ams shoulder and Greek ōmos.