Summary
Highlights
The humerus is a long bone connecting the elbow to the shoulder blade, providing support for the muscles of the shoulder, upper arm, and lower arm. The term 'funny bone' is a play on the word 'humerus', referring to the sensation felt when hitting this bone.
The head of the humerus projects medially and superiorly, articulating with the scapula's glenoid cavity to form the shoulder joint. The anatomical neck is located between the head and the greater and lesser tubercles.
The greater and lesser tubercles serve as attachment points for shoulder muscles. The surgical neck, distal to the tubercles, is a common site for fractures and is in close proximity to the axillary nerve and posterior humeral circumflex artery.
The body, or shaft, of the humerus is a major part of the bone. The lateral epicondyle, lateral to the capitulum, is an attachment point for forearm extensor muscles. The medial epicondyle is an origin point for forearm flexor muscles.
The capitulum is a rounded projection at the distal end of the humerus that articulates with the radius. The trochlea is an articular cylinder that connects with the ulna bone.