Upper limb: Difference between revisions

Latest revision as of 10:52, 23 March 2025

Upper Limb[edit]

The upper limb of the human body, also known as the upper extremity, is a complex structure that includes the shoulder, arm, forearm, and hand. It is primarily responsible for a wide range of movements and functions, including manipulation, sensation, and interaction with the environment.

Anatomy[edit]

The upper limb is composed of several key anatomical regions:

Pectoral Girdle[edit]

The pectoral girdle connects the upper limb to the trunk and consists of the clavicle and scapula. These bones provide attachment points for muscles and support the arm.

Bones[edit]

The bones of the upper limb include the humerus in the arm, the radius and ulna in the forearm, and the carpals, metacarpals, and phalanges in the hand.

Joints[edit]

The major joints of the upper limb include the shoulder joint, elbow joint, wrist joint, and the joints of the hand. These joints allow for a wide range of motion and dexterity.

Muscles[edit]

The muscles of the upper limb are responsible for movement and stability. They include the muscles of the shoulder, arm, forearm, and hand.

Arm Muscles[edit]

The arm contains major muscles such as the biceps brachii, triceps brachii, and brachialis. These muscles are involved in flexion and extension of the elbow.

Nerves[edit]

The brachial plexus is a network of nerves that innervates the upper limb. It provides motor and sensory innervation to the muscles and skin.

Blood Supply[edit]

The blood supply to the upper limb is primarily provided by the subclavian artery, which continues as the axillary artery and then the brachial artery. These arteries branch into smaller vessels that supply the forearm and hand.

Function[edit]

The upper limb is essential for a variety of functions, including:

Manipulation: The hand and fingers are capable of precise movements, allowing for tasks such as writing, typing, and grasping objects.
Sensation: The skin of the upper limb contains sensory receptors that provide information about touch, temperature, and pain.
Movement: The upper limb can perform a wide range of movements, including flexion, extension, abduction, adduction, and rotation.

Clinical Significance[edit]

Injuries and conditions affecting the upper limb can significantly impact daily activities. Common issues include fractures, dislocations, tendonitis, and nerve compression syndromes such as carpal tunnel syndrome.

Related Pages[edit]

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-'''Upper limb''' refers to the region in animals that extends from the deltoid region up to and including the hand, also known as the superior extremity or the thoracic limb. In humans, it is commonly referred to as the arm and hand. It includes the shoulder, arm, forearm, wrist and hand.
+==Upper Limb==
-== Anatomy ==
+The '''upper limb''' of the human body, also known as the '''upper extremity''', is a complex structure that includes the shoulder, arm, forearm, and hand. It is primarily responsible for a wide range of movements and functions, including manipulation, sensation, and interaction with the environment.
-The upper limb is divided into four main segments: the shoulder, arm, forearm, and hand. Each segment contains bones, muscles, nerves, and blood vessels.
+[[File:Gray1231.png|thumb|right|Bones of the upper limb]]
-=== Shoulder ===
+==Anatomy==
-The [[shoulder]] is the uppermost part of the upper limb. It is a complex structure that connects the upper limb to the trunk. The shoulder joint is a ball-and-socket joint that allows for a wide range of motion. The main bones of the shoulder are the [[clavicle]], [[scapula]], and [[humerus]].
+The upper limb is composed of several key anatomical regions:
-=== Arm ===
+===Pectoral Girdle===
-The [[arm]] is the region of the upper limb that extends from the shoulder to the elbow. It contains one long bone, the humerus. The main muscles of the arm are the [[biceps brachii]], which flexes the elbow, and the [[triceps brachii]], which extends the elbow.
+The [[pectoral girdle]] connects the upper limb to the trunk and consists of the [[clavicle]] and [[scapula]]. These bones provide attachment points for muscles and support the arm.
-=== Forearm ===
+[[File:Pectoral_girdle_front_diagram.svg|thumb|left|Diagram of the pectoral girdle]]
-The [[forearm]] is the part of the upper limb between the elbow and the wrist. It contains two long bones, the [[radius]] and the [[ulna]]. The main muscles of the forearm are involved in wrist and finger movements.
+===Bones===
-=== Hand ===
+The bones of the upper limb include the [[humerus]] in the arm, the [[radius]] and [[ulna]] in the forearm, and the [[carpals]], [[metacarpals]], and [[phalanges]] in the hand.
-The [[hand]] is the distal part of the upper limb. It is a complex structure that allows for fine motor skills. The hand is divided into three parts: the wrist, which contains the [[carpal bones]]; the palm, which contains the [[metacarpal bones]]; and the fingers, which contain the [[phalanges]].
+[[File:Upper_Limb_Bones_with_articular_cartilage.svg|thumb|right|Bones with articular cartilage]]
-== Function ==
+===Joints===
-The upper limb plays a crucial role in many daily activities, such as eating, writing, and manipulating objects. It is also important in non-verbal communication and body language.
+The major joints of the upper limb include the [[shoulder joint]], [[elbow joint]], [[wrist joint]], and the joints of the hand. These joints allow for a wide range of motion and dexterity.
-== See also ==
+===Muscles===
+The muscles of the upper limb are responsible for movement and stability. They include the muscles of the shoulder, arm, forearm, and hand.
+[[File:Gray1232.png|thumb|left|Muscles of the upper limb]]
+====Arm Muscles====
+The arm contains major muscles such as the [[biceps brachii]], [[triceps brachii]], and [[brachialis]]. These muscles are involved in flexion and extension of the elbow.
+[[File:Arm_muscles_front_superficial.png|thumb|right|Superficial muscles of the arm]]
+===Nerves===
+The [[brachial plexus]] is a network of nerves that innervates the upper limb. It provides motor and sensory innervation to the muscles and skin.
+[[File:Gray326.png|thumb|left|Nerves of the upper limb]]
+===Blood Supply===
+The blood supply to the upper limb is primarily provided by the [[subclavian artery]], which continues as the [[axillary artery]] and then the [[brachial artery]]. These arteries branch into smaller vessels that supply the forearm and hand.
+[[File:Gray414.png|thumb|right|Arteries of the upper limb]]
+==Function==
+The upper limb is essential for a variety of functions, including:
+* '''Manipulation''': The hand and fingers are capable of precise movements, allowing for tasks such as writing, typing, and grasping objects.
+* '''Sensation''': The skin of the upper limb contains sensory receptors that provide information about touch, temperature, and pain.
+* '''Movement''': The upper limb can perform a wide range of movements, including flexion, extension, abduction, adduction, and rotation.
+==Clinical Significance==
+Injuries and conditions affecting the upper limb can significantly impact daily activities. Common issues include [[fractures]], [[dislocations]], [[tendonitis]], and [[nerve compression syndromes]] such as [[carpal tunnel syndrome]].
+[[File:3D_Medical_Animation_Human_Wrist.jpg|thumb|left|3D animation of the human wrist]]
+==Related Pages==
 * [[Lower limb]]
-* [[Human skeleton]]
+* [[Skeletal system]]
 * [[Muscular system]]
+* [[Nervous system]]
 [[Category:Anatomy]]
-[[Category:Upper limb]]
+[[Category:Musculoskeletal system]]
-{{stub}}