humeral

Humeral is an anatomical adjective relating to the humerus, the long bone of the upper arm in humans and many other vertebrates. It is used to describe structures, injuries, and developmental features associated with this bone.

The humerus runs from the shoulder to the elbow. Proximally it has the head, which articulates with the glenoid cavity of the scapula, and the anatomical neck and surgical neck. The greater and lesser tubercles lie near the proximal end, separated by the intertubercular groove that houses the biceps tendon. The midshaft bears the deltoid tuberosity for deltoid muscle attachment.

Distally the humerus contributes to the elbow joint, with the trochlea articulating with the ulna and the capitulum with the radius. The medial and lateral epicondyles serve as attachment sites for forearm muscles; posteriorly lies the olecranon fossa, and anteriorly the coronoid and radial fossae accommodate the corresponding processes during flexion.

Clinically relevant aspects include proximal, midshaft, and distal humeral fractures, often resulting from falls or direct trauma. Nerve injuries may accompany certain fracture sites, notably the axillary nerve near the surgical neck and the radial nerve along the radial groove. The vascular supply is primarily via the profunda brachii artery and periosteal vessels.

Etymology: humeral derives from humerus, the bone name for the upper arm. In zoology and comparative anatomy, humeral describes forelimb features across vertebrates, including the wing bones of birds.