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Radius:
Located on the thumb/lateral side of the forearm
Rotates around the ulna during pronation and supination
Distal radius fractures are very common
Ulna:
Located on the pinky/medial side of the forearm
Provides the main articulation with the humerus (connects the upper arm to the forearm)
Does not rotate during pronation/supination as the radius rotates around the ulna during these movements
This figure shows how the radius and ulna connect to each other
At the proximal and distal radioulnar joints
These allow for pronation/supination to occur
At the interosseous membrane
Is fibrous connective tissue that stabilizes the two bones and is a site of muscle attachments
Elbow joint connects the humerus to the radius and ulna
Is a hinge-type joint that allows flexion and extension, along with pronation and supination
There are joints within the joint
Humeroulnar joint allows flexion/extension
Humeroradial joint helps with flexion/extension, pronation/supination, and stabilizes the radius
Proximal radioulnar joint allows pronation and supination
Quiz Questions
1. Which bone is located on the thumb (lateral) side of the forearm?
A. Radius
B. Humerus
C. Ulna
D. Scaphoid
2. What bone rotates during forearm pronation and supination?
A. Radius
B. Ulna
C. Humerus
D. Pisiform
3. What type of fracture is very common in the forearm?
A. Olecranon fracture
B. Distal ulna fracture
C. Distal radius fracture
D. Proximal humerus fracture
4. Where is the ulna located in the forearm?
A. Lateral/thumb side
B. Medial/pinky side
C. Center of the forearm
D. Posterior side of the forearm
5. Which forearm bone provides the main articulation with the humerus?
A. Radius
B. Scaphoid
C. Ulna
D. Trapezium
6. During pronation and supination, what happens to the ulna?
A. It rotates around the radius
B. It stays stationary
C. It flexes and extends
D. It separates from the radius
7. What joint connects the radial head with the ulna near the elbow?
A. Distal radioulnar joint
B. Humeroradial joint
C. Proximal radioulnar joint
D. Interosseous joint
8. What structure stabilizes the shafts of the radius and ulna and provides muscle attachment?
A. Annular ligament
B. TFCC
C. Interosseous membrane
D. Brachial plexus
Quiz Answers
A
A
C
B
C
B
C
C
References
Images from: Atlas of Anatomy 4th Edition, Gilroy et al., 2020, Thieme Medical Publishers
Information based on lecture content from professor Dr. Earl Mayhew, DPT, BIO 634 - Human Anatomy course, University of Michigan-Flint, Fall 2022