UPPER LIMB

In human anatomy, the 'upper limb' (also 'upper extremity') refers to what in common English is known as the ''arm'', that is, the region of the shoulder to the fingertips. It includes the entire limb, and thus, is not synonymous with the term ''upper arm''.

Contents

General structures

Bones

References

General structures

The upper limb includes the following structures:

★ Shoulder

★ Arm (proper) - in anatomy, the region between the shoulder and the elbow

★ Elbow

★ Forearm

★ Wrist

★ Hand
Note that anatomists use the term ''arm'' to denote only the region between the shoulder and the elbow. This is in contrast to the proper English definition. Anatomists also use the term ''leg'' to refer to the region between the knee and the ankle. This, however, ''is'' the proper and traditional usage of the word, even though popular modern usage tends to include the thigh and foot in the definition.

Bones

The following bones are considered to be part of the upper limb:

★ Clavicle - the only bone that directly articulates with the trunk

★ Scapula

★ Humerus

★ Radius

★ Ulna

★ Carpal bones

★ Metacarpals

★ Phalanges

References