The medial end of the clavicle articulates with the sternum, and the lateral end articulates with the scapula.
Function of clavicle curvature
The clavicle's curvature ensures outward fracture away from the subclavian artery.
Forearm bones
The forearm consists of two parallel long bones: the radius and the ulna.
Forearm articulations
The radius and ulna articulate proximally with the humerus, distally with wrist bones, and with each other at superior and inferior radio-ulnar joints.
Ulna features
The ulna is slightly longer than the radius and has the olecranon and coronoid processes; the olecranon locks to prevent elbow hyperextension.
Radius features
The radius has a distal end with a medial ulnar notch and a lateral styloid process.
Scapula characteristics
The scapula is a thin, triangular, irregular bone located dorsally between ribs 2-7 with several fossae named by location.
Scapula processes
The scapula has a spine, acromion (articulates with clavicle), and coracoid process (muscle attachment).
Pectoral girdle composition
The pectoral girdle consists of two pairs of bones that surround the upper trunk and connect the upper limbs to the axial skeleton.
Pectoral girdle attachment
The scapula is attached laterally but not directly to the axial skeleton, serving as muscle attachment points.
Shoulder joint socket
The shoulder joint socket (glenoid cavity) is shallow and poorly reinforced, making it prone to dislocation.
Humerus articulation
The humerus articulates proximally with the scapula and distally with the radius and ulna.
Humerus landmarks
Key landmarks include the head (fits into glenoid cavity), anatomical and surgical necks, greater and lesser tubercles separated by the intertubercular sulcus.
Humerus distal features
The distal humerus has fossae for olecranon, coronoid, and radial processes.
Elbow articulation
The trochlea of the humerus articulates with the ulna, and the capitulum articulates with the radius.
Hand bone groups
The hand contains 27 bones: carpal bones, metacarpals, and phalanges.
Carpal bones rows
Carpal bones are arranged in two rows: proximal (scaphoid, lunate, triquetrum, pisiform) and distal (trapezium, trapezoid, capitate, hamate).
Wrist joint bones
Only the scaphoid, lunate, and triquetrum form the wrist joint.
Phalanges count and structure
Each finger has 3 phalanges (proximal, middle, distal) except the thumb, which has 2.
Metacarpal articulation
Metacarpal bases articulate with carpals, and heads articulate with proximal phalanges.