🦴 Humerus

Brian Lee

🤖

Illustrations

Richer, Artistic Anatomy, Plate 19
Richer, Artistic Anatomy, Plate 19
Gray's Anatomy: Muscle attaachment points on humerus
Gray’s Anatomy: Muscle attaachment points on humerus

Source: Wikipedia

Bony Landmarks

Head of the Humerus

The rounded, proximal articular surface that fits into the glenoid cavity of the scapula, forming the glenohumeral (shoulder) joint.

Anatomical Neck

The slight constriction immediately distal to the head, marking the site of the epiphyseal plate in development and serving as the attachment for the joint capsule.

Surgical Neck

The narrower region distal to the tubercles; a common fracture site.

Greater Tubercle

A large, lateral projection just distal to the head that provides attachment for the supraspinatus, infraspinatus, and teres minor muscles.

Radial (Spiral) Groove

A shallow groove running obliquely down the posterior shaft, transmitting the radial nerve and deep brachial artery.

Nutrient (Oblique) Foramen

A small opening on the anteromedial shaft that allows nutrient vessels to enter the bone.

Medial Epicondyle

A prominent projection on the distal medial side, providing origin for the common flexor tendon (flexor-pronator muscles) and attachment of the ulnar collateral ligament of the elbow.

Lateral Epicondyle

A smaller lateral projection that gives origin to the common extensor tendon (extensor-supinator muscles) and attachment for the radial collateral ligament.

Capitulum

A rounded eminence on the anterior, distal lateral humerus that articulates with the head of the radius.

Trochlea

A spool-shaped medial projection on the anterior distal humerus that articulates with the trochlear notch of the ulna.

Muscle Origins

By Bony Landmarks

Muscle Insertions

By Bony Landmarks

Translations

LanguageTranslation
French
  • Greater tubercle – tubercule majeur
  • Lesser tubercle – tubercule mineur
  • Intertubercular (bicipital) groove – sillon intertuberculaire
  • Deltoid tuberosity – tubérosité deltoïdienne
  • Medial epicondyle – épicondyle médial
  • Lateral epicondyle – épicondyle latéral
  • Lateral supracondylar ridge – crête supracondylienne latérale
  • Radial (spiral) groove – gouttière radiale
  • Infraglenoid tubercle – tubercule infraglénoïdal
Russian
  • Greater tubercle – большой бугорок
  • Lesser tubercle – малый бугорок
  • Intertubercular (bicipital) groove – межбугорковая борозда
  • Deltoid tuberosity – дельтовидная бугристость
  • Medial epicondyle – медиальный надмыщелок
  • Lateral epicondyle – латеральный надмыщелок
  • Lateral supracondylar ridge – латеральная надмыщелковая гребень
  • Radial (spiral) groove – спиральная борозда
  • Infraglenoid tubercle – подсуставной бугорок
  • Notes

    Subscapularis is the only rotator cuff muscle that inserts on the anterior surface of the humerus.