Upper Limb Osteology

What Is the Skeleton of the Upper Limb?

Upper limb osteology is the study of the bones that give the arm its reach, strength and fine movement. The upper limb bones include the shoulder girdle (the clavicle and scapula), the humerus in the arm, the radius and ulna in the forearm, and the bones of the hand. To learn them in a clear order, anatomists work from the shoulder down to the fingertips, studying each bone’s shape, landmarks, muscle attachments and joints.

The Five Bone Groups in This Lab

Our free anatomy lab covers the upper limb bones in five sections. Open each page to study the bones with labelled images:

• Clavicle: the collarbone, which connects the upper limb to the trunk.
• Scapula: the shoulder blade, with the socket of the shoulder joint.
• Humerus: the bone of the arm.
• Ulna & Radius: the two bones of the forearm.
• Hand: the carpal, metacarpal and phalangeal bones.

Shoulder Girdle and Humerus: The Proximal Bones

The clavicle is an S-shaped bone that links the scapula to the sternum, so it is the only bony connection between the upper limb and the rest of the skeleton. The scapula is a flat, triangular bone. Its glenoid cavity forms the shoulder joint with the head of the humerus, and its acromion and coracoid process give attachment to muscles and ligaments. The humerus has a head, anatomical and surgical necks, a shaft and an expanded lower end that forms part of the elbow joint.

Forearm and Hand Bones

The radius lies on the lateral (thumb) side of the forearm and the ulna on the medial side. Together with the humerus they form the elbow joint, and at the wrist the radius articulates with the carpal bones. The hand has three groups of bones: eight carpal bones, five metacarpals and the phalanges of the fingers. This arrangement gives the hand its wide range of movement and grip.

How to Study the Upper Limb Bones

1. Work from the shoulder downwards: the clavicle and scapula, then the humerus, forearm and hand.
2. For every bone, learn four things: its main parts, its landmarks, the muscles that attach to it, and the joints it forms.
3. Test yourself. Practise with our upper limb anatomy flashcards, then check your knowledge with the Questions Bank.

To compare with the leg, see our lower limb osteology page. For general background, read this overview of the upper limb. More practical sessions are available in our medical labs.

Why Do Medical Students Need to Know These Bones?

Bone anatomy is a favourite in practical exams and the foundation of clinical work. The clavicle is commonly fractured, a fracture of the humeral shaft can injure the radial nerve that runs close to it, and a fall onto an outstretched hand often fractures the distal radius or the scaphoid, one of the carpal bones. Knowing the bones helps you read an X-ray and understand how fractures are treated. To see how these injuries are taught clinically, try our orthopedics flashcards.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the upper limb bones? They are the clavicle, scapula, humerus, radius, ulna, and the carpal, metacarpal and phalangeal bones of the hand.

Which bone connects the upper limb to the trunk? The clavicle.

How many carpal bones are there? Eight.

What is the difference between the radius and the ulna? The radius is on the thumb side of the forearm and the ulna is on the medial side. Both take part in the elbow joint, and the radius forms most of the wrist joint.

How do I memorise the bones of the upper limb? Study them from the shoulder downwards, learn each bone’s landmarks and muscle attachments, and review them with flashcards in short daily sessions.

Is this anatomy lab free? Yes. All the pages in our anatomy lab are free for medical students.