Atlas of Human Anatomy by Netter

GUIDE

Upper Limb: Topographic Anatomy

[Plate 400, Upper Limb]

Bones

Clavicle: Subcutaneous; palpable throughout its length

Acromion: Easily palpable, traced medially to acromioclavicular joint (see Section 6-2: Upper Limb: Shoulder and Axilla)

Coracoid process of scapula: Palpable deep and lateral to the deltopectoral triangle

Head of humerus: Palpable deep to deltoid inferior to lateral edge of acromion when arm is rotated

Elbow: Palpable medial and lateral epicondyles of humerus and visible olecranon process of ulna (see Section 6-4: Upper Limb: Elbow

and Forearm)

Head of radius: Palpable as it rotates during pronation and supination on posterolateral aspect of extended elbow, just distal to lateral

epicondyle

Ulnar head: Visible on the medial side of the dorsal aspect of the wrist (see Section 6-5: Upper Limb: Wrist and Hand)

Radial styloid: Palpable in the anatomical snuff box on the lateral side of the wrist

Ulnar styloid: just distal to ulnar head with hand supinated

Pisiform: hard, round structure on anteromedial aspect of wrist

Tubercles of scaphoid and trapezium: Palpable at proximal end of thenar eminence

Muscles and Tendons

Deltoid muscle: Overlies the shoulder giving it a rounded appearance

Biceps: Bulge on anterior aspect of arm

Biceps brachii tendon: Palpable in cubital fossa, lateral to midline with arm flexed

Flexor tendons: Wrist and finger flexors visible distally on ventral aspect of forearm

Extensor tendons: Wrist and finger flexors visible on the dorsum of the hand

Thenar eminence: Muscles at the base of the thumb (see Section 6-5: Upper Limb: Wrist and Hand)

Hypothenar eminence: Muscles at the base of the little finger (see Section 6-5: Upper Limb: Wrist and Hand)