Humerus

The head of the humerus is a hemisphere that faces medially and articulates with the glenoid fossa of the shoulder joint.

Head of Humerus

The anatomical neck is the groove that surrounds the articular surface of the head of the humerus. This is where the joint capsule is attached. The surgical neck however, is a segment present inferior to the humeral head. This acts as a connection between the head and the shaft of the humerus.

Anatomical vs Surgical Neck of Humerus

The greater tubercle is a large, posteriorly placed projection that is placed laterally. The greater tubercle is where supraspinatus, infraspinatus and teres minor muscles are attached. The crest of the greater tubercle forms the lateral lip of the bicipital groove and is the site for insertion of pectoralis major.

Greater Tubercle of the Right Humerus

Attachments on the Greater Tubercle

The lesser tubercle is smaller, anterolaterally placed to the head of the humerus. The lesser tubercle provides insertion to subscapularis muscle. Both these tubercles are found in the proximal part of the shaft. The crest of the lesser tubercle forms the medial lip of the bicipital groove and is the site for insertion of teres major and latissimus dorsi muscles.

Lesser Tubercle of the Right Humerus

Insertion of subscapularis muscle on the lesser tubercle

The intertubercular groove or also known as the bicipital sulcus is a deep groove that begins between the two tubercles and extends longitudinally down the proximal shaft of the humerus. The long head of biceps brachii muscle runs along this groove. The transverse humeral ligament connects the lesser and greater tubercles and bridges this groove to form a canal.

Bicipital groove

The shaft of the humerus is triangular to cylindrical in cut section and is compressed anteroposteriorly. It has 3 surfaces, namely:

The Anteromedial Surface is the area between the medial border of the humerus to the line drawn as a continuation of the crest of the greater tubercle.

The Anterolateral Surface is the area between the lateral border of the humerus to the line drawn as a continuation of the crest of the greater tubercle.

The Posterior Surface is the area between the medial and lateral borders.

Anterior View of the humerus showing borders and surfaces

Posterior view of the humerus showing the medial and lateral borders and the posterior surface of the humerus

The Deltoid tuberosity is a roughened surface on the lateral surface of the shaft of the Humerus and acts as the site of insertion of deltoideus muscle. The posterorsuperior part of the shaft has a crest, beginning just below the surgical neck of the humerus and extends till the superior tip of the deltoid tuberosity. This is where the lateral head of triceps brachii is attached.

Deltoid Tuberosity of the humerus

The radial sulcus, also known as the spiral groove is found on the posterior surface of the shaft and is a shallow oblique groove through which the radial nerve passes along with deep vessels. This is located posteroinferior to the deltoid tuberosity. The inferior boundary of the spiral groove is continuous distally with the lateral border of the shaft.

Radial groove continuing as the lateral border of shaft of the humerus

The nutrient foramen of the humerus is located in the anteromedial surface of the humerus. The nutrient arteries enter the humerus through this foramen.

Nutrient foramen of the Humerus

Olecranon fossa is the posterior hollow part on the distal humerus which accommodates the olecranon process of the ulna during extension of the elbow.

Olecranon fossa of the Humerus

The coronoid fossa is the medial hollow part on the anterior surface of the distal humerus. The coronoid fossa is larger than the olecranon fossa and receives the coronoid process of the ulna during maximum flexion of the elbow.

Coronoid Fossa of the Humerus

The Radial fossa is located laterally on the anterior surface of the distal forearm and this part receives the head of the radius during maximum flexion of the elbow.

Radial Fossa of the Humerus

The Capitulum is a rounded eminence forming the lateral part of the distal humerus. The head of the radius articulates with the capitulum.

Capitulum on the lateral side and trochlea on the medial side of the Humerus

The trochlea is spool-shaped medial portion of the distal humerus and articulates with the ulna.

Trochlea of the Humerus

The lateral epicondyle is the non-articular lateral bulge of bone located superior and lateral to the capitulum. The radial collateral ligament attaches to the lateral epicondyle. The common tendon of the extensor muscles of the forearm and the supinator muscle originate on the lateral collateral ligament. The Medial epicondyle is the non-articular medial bulge of bone located superior and medial to the trochlea. The medial epicondyle is more prominent than the lateral epicondyle and the ulnar collateral ligament is attached here along with the forearm flexors.

Medial and Lateral epicondyles of the Humerus

Medial and lateral supracondylar ridges of the Humerus

The Medial supracondylar crest forms the sharp medial border of the distal humerus continuing superiorly from the medial epicondyle. The Lateral Supracondylar crest forms the sharp lateral border of the distal humerus continuing superiorly from the lateral epicondyle.[2]

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.

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'.[3] It lies posterior to the medial epicondyle, and is easily damaged in elbow injuries.

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.