01 / Location & anatomical relationships
Inside the upper arm.
02 / Structure & organization
The humeral head articulates with the scapula. Tubercles provide attachment for rotator-cuff muscles, while the distal trochlea and capitulum articulate with ulna and radius. The shaft has close relationships with major nerves.
03 / Function
It joins your shoulder at one end and your elbow at the other.
04 / Mechanism
Its rounded head fits into the shoulder joint, and its lower end helps form the elbow. Muscles attach at different points so they can lift, rotate or bend the arm. The shaft supports the space between the joints.
Part of a bigger picture
The humerus belongs in our bones & movement collection. Explore the nearby parts to see how this area of the body fits together.
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Connect structure with function
The radial nerve passes along the posterior shaft region, while the ulnar nerve passes behind the medial epicondyle. These relations connect bone landmarks with neuroanatomy.
Check your understanding
Locate the humerus in relation to its neighbors. Explain how the structural features described above support its function, then distinguish it from a nearby structure with a different role.
Keep learning
Continue with OpenStax Anatomy and Physiology for system-level study. This atlas is educational and has not undergone independent medical peer review.