Summary Upper Limb Anatomy High Yield Notes

Upper Limb Anatomy High Yield
Notes
Bones & Joints

Bone Key Features Clinical Notes

Most commonly fractured;
Clavicle S-shaped
midshaft → radial nerve risk

Rarely fractured; important for
Scapula Spine, acromion, glenoid
shoulder articulation

Midshaft → radial nerve → wrist
Humerus Head, shaft, epicondyles
drop; distal → median/ulnar risk

Distal → Colles fracture (“dinner
Radius Proximal head, tuberosity
fork” deformity)

Olecranon fractures common;
Ulna Olecranon, coronoid
check elbow function

Scaphoid most commonly
Carpals (8 Mnemonic: Some Lovers Try
fractured → risk of avascular
bones) Positions That They Can’t Handle
necrosis


Joint Type Movements

Shoulder Ball-and-socket Flexion/extension, abduction/adduction, rotation

Elbow Hinge Flexion/extension, minor pronation/supination

Wrist Condyloid Flexion/extension, radial/ulnar deviation

Muscles & Nerves

Action Muscle Nerve Clinical Check

Biceps brachii,
Elbow flexion Musculocutaneous Flex against resistance
Brachialis

Extend against
Elbow extension Triceps brachii Radial
resistance / reflex




Upper Limb Anatomy High Yield Notes 1