Bones of proximal UE

Question 1

What are the features of the clavicle?

Answer 1

-Clavicle:
Proximal end
Distal end
Superior surface
Inferior surface
Regions: proximal 1/3, middle 1/3, distal 1/3 (helps visually for landmarks)

Question 2

How can you differentiate between the distal and proximal ends of the clavicle bone?

Answer 2

Proximal: knob/knuckle like
Distal: a bit more flat

Question 3

How can you differentiate between the superior and inferior surface of the clavicle?

Answer 3

Superior: smooth
Inferior: bumps and grooves seen

Question 4

What structure does the proximal end of the clavicle join with, what kind of joint do they form?

Answer 4

Manubrium, forms SC joint (sternoclavicular)

Question 5

What structure does the distal end of the clavicle join with, what kind of joint do they form?

Answer 5

Acromion, forms AC joint (acromioclavicular)

Question 6

What part of the clavicle is the most common site of clavicle fractures?

Answer 6

The middle third (mid-shaft clavicle fracture)

Question 7

What are the features of the scapula from a posterior view?

Answer 7

-Medial & lateral borders
-Inferior angle
-Acromion
-Spine of scapula
-Supraspinous fossa
-Infraspinous fossa

Question 8

What is the inferior angle of the scapula formed by?

Answer 8

The “V” shaped junction (meeting point) of the medial and lateral borders

Question 9

What does the acromion articulate with?

Answer 9

The clavicle (forms AC joint)

Question 10

What are the supraspinous and infraspinous fossa? What do they serve as attachment points for?

Answer 10

Hollowed out concavities on the back of the scapula
-Attachment sites for rotator cuff muscles

Question 11

What are the landmarks of the anterior/lateral view of the scapula?

Answer 11

-Medial & lateral borders
-Inferior angle
-Subscapular fossa
-Acromion
-Coracoid process
-Glenoid cavity/fossa
-Supraglenoid tubercle

Question 12

What is the subscapular fossa? What does it serve as an attachment point for?

Answer 12

Concavity along the front/anterior part of the scapula, also an attachment site for rotator cuff muscle

Question 13

What shape is the coracoid process? What does it serve as an attachment point for?

Answer 13

Hook shaped, attachment site for some of the muscles going down the arm

Question 14

What is the glenoid cavity/fossa?

Answer 14

A “socket” where the humerus articulates with the scapula

Question 15

What is the supraglenoid tubercle?

Answer 15

An attachment site for the long head of the biceps (above the glenoid fossa)
*can be significant in some shoulder pathologies

Question 16

What is the infraglenoid tubercle?

Answer 16

An attachment site for the long head of the triceps (below the glenoid fossa)

Question 17

What are the landmarks of the proximal humerus?

Answer 17

-Head
-Anatomical neck
-Surgical neck
-Greater tubercle/tuberosity
-Lesser tubercle/tuberosity
-Bicipital groove
-Radial (spiral) groove

Question 18

What does the head of the humerus serve as?

Answer 18

The “ball” that articulates with the scapula/glenoid fossa to form the shoulder joint

Question 19

What is the difference between the anatomical neck and the surgical neck of the humerus?

Answer 19

Anatomical neck: the long bone’s “true” neck
Surgical neck: the area where trauma often causes fracture in the humerus

Question 20

What are the bumps of the greater tubercle and lesser tubercle of the humerus separated by

Answer 20

Bicipital groove

Question 21

What can not be seen on a posterior view of the humerus?

Answer 21

The lesser tubercle & the bicipital groove

Question 22

How is the radial/spiral groove situated on the humerus? What is its purpose?

Answer 22

Wraps around the humerus, the radial nerve and artery run down this groove to the forearm
*in the cases of a mid-shaft fracture of the humerus, the artery and nerve can be potentially damaged

Question 23

How is a proximal humeral fracture classified?

Answer 23

Neer classification: based on anatomy, displacement, and angulation

Question 24

What is a humeral shaft fracture (mid-humeral fracture)? What is the usual treatment for these fractures

Answer 24

Direct trauma to the humerus causes a fracture line
*poses risk to the radial nerve and artery

Compression plate treatment: flat plate is drilled with screws into the bone to secure the plate
*important to make sure radial nerve/artery are not damaged during this procedure as well!

Question 24

What is a humeral shaft fracture (mid-humeral fracture)? What is the usual treatment for these fractures

Answer 24

Direct trauma to the humerus causes a fracture line
*poses risk to the radial nerve and artery

Compression plate treatment: flat plate is drilled with screws into the bone to secure the plate
*important to make sure radial nerve/artery are not damaged during this procedure as well!