Joints of the upper arm | The upper arm

Joints of the upper arm

The upper arm is connected via the The shoulder joint is a ball-and-socket joint that allows three different directions of movement: The articular surfaces of the shoulder joint are formed by the head of the humerus (Caput humeri) and the articular surfaces of the shoulder blade (Cavitas glenoidale scapulae) and allow the greatest mobility of all joints in the human body. In the elbow joint, the three compartments each form one joint. The elbow joint thus consists of three different joints. Through these different joints, bending (flexion) and stretching (extension) as well as the rotation of the forearm or palm upwards (supination) and downwards (pronation) is possible.

  • Shoulder joint with the shoulder and over the
  • Elbow joint connected to the forearm.
  • Abduction (abduction)
  • Introduction (Adduction)
  • Demonstration (anteversion) or diffraction (felxion)
  • Retroversion, or stretching (extension)
  • Rotation inwards and outwards (internal rotation, external rotation)
  • Distal end of the humerus, and the
  • The proximal ends of ulna and radius are joined together in an articulated joint.
  • The humerus is in articulated connection with both the ulna (Articulatio humeroulnaris) and the radius (Articulatio humeroradialis).
  • There is also another joint between the two proximal ends of the ulna and radius (Articulatio radioulnaris proximalis).

Vascular supply

The brachial artery is the extension of the axillary artery and runs along the arm to the center of the biceps tendon, which is why its pulse can be felt easily when the arm is bent. There are three main branches that branch off from the axillary artery in its course: In addition, there are numerous smaller arteries and arterioles that supply the entire upper arm and its muscles with blood containing oxygen and nutrients.

  • The deep arm artery (Arteria brachialis profunda) branches out and runs to the elbow joint, which supplies it with its end branches.
  • The upper lateral ulnar artery (Arteria collateralis ulnaris superior) branches off late and then takes its course on the back (extensor side) of the upper arm.
  • The lower lateral ulnar artery (Arteria sollateralis ulnaris inferior) branches off even later and runs in the direction of the ulna.

As in the entire body, there are two types of veins in the upper extremity.

They are connected to the deep veins via venous bridges. On the arm, two main strains of superficial veins are distinguished.

  • The deep veins are usually named like the arteries and run with them.
  • The superficial veins are usually accompanied by lymphatic vessels and are sometimes visible from the outside.
  • The vena basilica runs relatively centrally on the upper arm and penetrates about halfway down to one of the large veins (brachial vein).
  • The cephalic vein runs along the side of the upper arm and penetrates deep into the collarbone. There it flows into the large subclavian vein running along the clavicle.