NOTES ON HUMERUS
"804 Humerus and Elbow", licensed under CC BY 3.0
In this article, you will learn the basic anatomy of Humerus. The humerus is the long bone of the arm.
The medial head of the humerus articulates with the glenoid cavity of the scapula.
The head of the humerus has two bumps known as a tubercle.
The lesser tubercle is on the medial side of the head and the greater tubercle is on the lateral side of the head. In between the two tubercles there runs intertubercular sulcus or the bicipital groove.
Necks of the humerus:
The anatomical neck is on the superior side of the head.
The surgical neck is below the two tubercles. This name is because the fractures most often occur at this neck. The fracture here can damage the axillary nerve.
About the bicipital groove or intertubercular sulcus:
The tendon of the long head of the biceps runs through the bicipital groove and attaches to the supraglenoid tubercle of the scapula.
Three muscles attach to the bicipital groove: the pneumonic- lady between two majors.
The muscle called pectoralis major attaches to the lateral lip of the bicipital groove.
One of the chest muscles, teres major attaches to the medial lip of the bicipital groove.
The muscle called lattismus dorsi is attached in between the lateral and medial lip of the bicipital groove. Exactly at the bicipital groove.
Deltoid tuberosity of the humerus:
The deltoid muscle attaches to the lateral deltoid tuberosity which is inferior and lateral to the bicipital groove.
Distal Humerus:
The shaft of the humerus runs along its length.
Inferiorly on the humerus, we can see the two epicondyles which can be palpable
The medial epicondyle and the lateral epicondyle.
The ulnar nerve runs along the posterior side of the medial epicondyle.
Articulatory part of the humerus:
The trochlea is present on the medial side and it articulates with the ulna. (anteriorly)
The capitulum present on the lateral side and articulates with the radius.
Ridges of the humerus:
Medial and lateral Supracondylar ridge.
Fossae of the humerus:
Coronoid fossa- above the trochlea and its present on the medial side of the humerus.
The radial fossa- lies superior to the capitulum and is present on the lateral side of the humerus.
Olecranon fossa- lies on the posterior side of the Distal Humerus. The olecranon process of the ulna(posterior side) attaches to this fossa posteriorly.
Most common fractures of the humerus:
Supracondylar fractures in children. When they fell down accidentally.
This fracture displaces the distal fragment of the humerus backward and displaces the proximal fragment of the humerus frontwards.
The brachial artery runs on the anterior surface of the humerus and this kind of displacement can push the brachial artery. An important to do for patients with supracondylar fractures is to check the vitals of patient.
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