Identifying Bones of the Upper Extremities

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Anatomy › Identifying Bones of the Upper Extremities

Questions 1 - 10
1

Arrange the following bones in order from most proximal to most distal: humerus, phalanges, radius, and ulna.

humerus, ulna, radius, phalanges

ulna, humerus, radius, phalanges

phalanges, humerus, radius, ulna

phalanges, ulna, radius, humerus

Explanation

The humerus is the bone of the upper arm and is most proximal of these four bones; it articulates proximally with the scapula and distally with the radius and ulna. The ulna is the bone of the medial side of the forearm; it articulates proximally with the humerus and radius and distally with the radius. The radius is the bone of the lateral side of the forearm and crosses the ulna during pronation. Phalanges, the digits of the hand, are the most distal bones of the upper limb.

2

Which of these is not present on the scapula?

Coronoid process

Coracoid process

Suprascapular notch

Infraspinous fossa

Rim of glenoid cavity

Explanation

The coronoid and coracoid processes are easily confused. While the coracoid process lies on the superior lateral portion of the scapula, the coronoid process is found on other bones such as the mandible and ulna.

3

On which bone is the lesser tubercle?

Humerus

Patella

Ischium

Radius

Ulna

Explanation

The correct answer is the humerus. The patella is the knee cap. The ischium is in the pelvis. The radius and ulna is in the lower arm.

4

Which of the following articulates proximally with the scapula and distally with the radius and ulna?

humerus

phalanges

clavicle

tibia

Explanation

The humerus is the bone of the upper arm; it articulates proximally with the scapula and distally with the radius and ulna. The ulna is the bone of the medial side of the forearm; it articulates proximally with the humerus and radius and distally with the radius. The radius is the bone of the lateral side of the forearm and crosses the ulna during pronation.

Phalanges, the digits of the hand, are the most distal bones of the upper limb. The clavicle is an S-shaped bone located between the sternum and the scapula.

The tibia is located in the lower limb.

5

Which bone is considered the upper arm bone?

Humerus

Radius

Ulna

Scapula

Clavicle

Explanation

The humerus makes up the upper arm. The clavicle and scapula create the shoulder girdle in which the humerus joins with. Finally the radius and Ulna make up the forearm bones.

6

Which is the lateral bone of the forearm?

Radius

Ulna

Humerus

Fibula

Tibia

Explanation

The radius is the lateral bone of the forearm. The ulna is the medial bone of the forearm; it articulates with the humerus and radius. The humerus is the largest bone of the upper limb and is the only bone of the (upper) arm. The fibula is the lower leg's analog of the radius. Remember to refer to the anatomical position whenever orienting yourself with gross anatomy.

7

On which bone is the infraglenoid tubercle?

Scapula

Humerus

Ulna

Radius

Scaphoid

Explanation

The infraglenoid tubercle is located on the scapula which is also known as the shoulder blade. The humerus is located in the upper portion of the arm. The radius and ulna is located on the lower portion of the arm. The scaphoid is located in the wrist.

8

The scaphoid is located proximal to which bone?

Trapezium

Triquetrum

Pisiform

Lunate

Ulna

Explanation

The wrist contains 8 carpal bones. The scaphoid, lunate, triquetrum, and pisiform make up the proximal row, while the trapezium, trapezoid, capitate, and hamate make up the distal row. A mnemonic to help you remember these eight bones is: Some Lovers Try Positions That They Can't Handle. In the anatomical position, from lateroproximal to mediodistal: Scaphoid, Lunate, Triquetrum, Pisiform, Trapezium, Trapezoid, Capitate, Hamate.

9

Which bone contains the olecranon fossa?

Humerus

Tibia

Radius

Ulna

Fibula

Explanation

When the ulna is extended, the olecranon, which is an extension of the ulna, fits into the olecranon fossa of the humerus.

10

There are __________ carpal bones in the wrist and hand.

eight

five

ten

nine

Explanation

The carpal bones are found arranged in two layers of four in the hand. The first row, lateral to medial, is made of the scaphoid, lunate, triquetrum, and pisiform. The distal row, from lateral to medial, is made of the trapezium, trapezoid, capitate, and hamate. A fracture of the scaphoid during a fall on an outstretched hand can damage the radial artery. A fracture of the hamate can cause damage to the ulnar nerve and artery.

The carpal bones articulate with the radius bone in the forearm to create the wrist; the ulna has no contact with the carpal bones in the hand.

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