The humerus, or upper arm bone, is the most prominent bone in the body. It’s situated between your elbow and shoulder, and it’s made up of several parts that allow it to move freely in all directions. Both movement and support are essential functions of the humerus.
Some Facts about Humerus
- Among the bones in your body, the humerus is the longest bone. You have the radius and the ulna in your forearm, and you have the femur in your thigh.
- The humerus is the longest bone in your arm.
- It does not matter what its name is, the so-called “funny bone” will not hurt your humerus. In this case, the elbow would hit the ulnar nerve the same as if you slammed your arm into your hand.
- It is more likely that you will break a bone in your hand or arm. Due to this reason, we often use parts of our body to lessen the force of trauma or hits to the body.
Anatomy of Humerus
The only bone in your upper arm is the humerus, and it’s located between the elbow and the shoulder.
There are a few key terms to understand when it comes to the anatomy of your humerus:
- Proximal: Closest to your shoulder is the upper part of the humerus.
- Body or shaft: A part of the humerus that’s extended.
- Distal: You can feel it in the bottom of your humerus
The humerus is made up of several sections and the ones mentioned above. Some of them are as:
- Surgical neck
Function of Humerus
There are two essential functions of the humerus, which are movement and support. Let’s discuss each of these.
A wide range of arm movements are possible due to the humerus’ connections at the shoulder and elbow:
Raising your arm away from your body (termed abduction)
- Straightening your elbow (extension)
- Lowering your arm back to your body
- Rotation of shoulder joint
- Moving your arm in from of your torso
As well as supporting you, your humerus performs lots of arm movements. Muscles on the shoulder and arm connect to parts of the humerus.
One of the most observed injuries to the humerus is fractures. The position of a humerus fracture is used to classify it:
- A break in your humerus that occurs closest to your shoulder is called a proximal fracture.
- A break in the shaft or body of your humerus is known as a mid-shaft or middle break.
- A distal humerus fracture is when your humerus is broken at the end closest to your elbow.
Causes of Humerus Fractures
A direct strike to the humerus is the most common cause of a fracture, and contact sports or car accidents are common causes of this sort of injury. If you fall with your arm outstretched, your humerus might also be broken.
An underlying health problem can sometimes cause a humerus fracture, a pathologic fracture caused by osteoporosis or cancer.
Symptoms of Humerus Fractures
These are the most typical indicators that your humerus has been fractured:
- A cracking or snapping sound that occurs at the time of the arm injury
- Discomfort can be intense and often grows worse with movement
- Decreased range of motion
- A visible lump on your upper arm
Treatment for Humerus Fractures
The fracture’s severity will determine the type of therapy. One or a combination of the following treatment methods may be available:
- Pain relievers and anti-inflammatories
- Immobilization of the upper arm with the use of a brace or splint
- Physical treatment to preserve or restore strength, flexibility, and range of motion in the afflicted arm
- Surgery for severe fractures may include using plates and screws to heal the bone.
It is good to know the basic information about your body. Many bones are present in a human working to bring movement and support possible. However, as mentioned above, there are times when the humerus can get fractured, or other bone problems could arise. If you face any issue related to your bones, you may need to Consult the best Orthopedic Doctor in Multan, visit MARHAM.PK.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1- What is the recovery time for a humerus fracture?
The length of your recovery will be determined by the severity of your injuries as well as your overall health. A humerus fracture might take anywhere from eight to twelve weeks to heal and keep in mind that physical treatment may be required for several months after that.
2- What is metastatic bone disease?
When cancer spreads to the bones from another part of the body, such as the lungs or breast, it is known as metastatic bone disease. The humerus is typically affected, according to the surgeons.
3- What does radial nerve injury mean?
The radial nerve crosses your arm. A radial nerve injury can occur due to a humerus fracture, especially if the fracture is in the central or distal section of the humoursome common causes of arm pain?
Several things can cause arm pain, and injury or overuse are typical causes. The pain may begin suddenly and then fade away or progressively worsen depending on the grounds.