Nov 01, 2025 PDF Available

Topic Overview

Frequently Asked Questions – Joints of Upper Limb

1. What is the only bony joint connecting the upper limb to the trunk?

👉 Sternoclavicular joint — a saddle synovial joint functionally acting as ball-and-socket.

2. Why is the sternoclavicular joint rarely dislocated?

Because it has strong ligaments (costoclavicular, interclavicular) and a complete articular disc that absorbs shock and adds stability.

3. Which joint allows gliding movements between clavicle and scapula?

👉 Acromioclavicular joint — a plane synovial joint stabilized by coracoclavicular ligament.

4. What is the main ligament stabilizing the acromioclavicular joint?

👉 Coracoclavicular ligament — made of conoid (medial) and trapezoid (lateral) parts.

5. What are the bones forming the shoulder (glenohumeral) joint?

👉 Head of humerus and glenoid cavity of scapula (deepened by glenoid labrum).

6. Why is the shoulder joint highly mobile but less stable?

Shallow glenoid cavity.
Loose capsule.
Large humeral head.
Stability depends mainly on rotator cuff muscles (SITS).

7. Name the muscles forming the rotator cuff.

👉 SITS – Supraspinatus, Infraspinatus, Teres minor, Subscapularis.

8. Which tendon is intracapsular but extrasynovial in shoulder?

👉 Long head of biceps brachii tendon.

9. What are the main ligaments of the shoulder joint?

Coracohumeral, glenohumeral, transverse humeral, coracoacromial, and capsular ligaments.

10. Which bursa lies between supraspinatus and acromion?

👉 Subacromial (subdeltoid) bursa.

11. What is the “painful arc” syndrome?

Pain during 60°–120° abduction due to supraspinatus tendinitis under the coracoacromial arch.

12. Which nerve is most commonly injured in shoulder dislocation?

👉 Axillary nerve — leads to deltoid paralysis and loss of sensation over the “regimental badge” area.

13. What type of joint is the elbow?

👉 Complex hinge-type synovial joint (humeroulnar + humeroradial).

14. Name the ligaments strengthening the elbow joint.

Ulnar collateral, radial collateral, and annular ligament of radius.

15. What is the carrying angle and why is it important?

👉 Angle between the long axes of humerus and forearm (10–15° in males, 15–20° in females).
Significance: Keeps forearm clear of hips during walking.

16. What is “pulled elbow” (nursemaid’s elbow)?

Partial dislocation of head of radius from annular ligament — common in children after a sudden jerk.

17. Name the joints involved in supination and pronation.

👉 Superior and inferior radioulnar joints (pivot type).
Axis passes through head of radius → head of ulna.

18. What are the muscles of pronation and supination?

Pronation: Pronator teres, Pronator quadratus (median nerve).
Supination: Supinator, Biceps brachii (radial & musculocutaneous nerves).

19. What is the function of the interosseous membrane?

Connects radius and ulna.
Transmits forces from radius to ulna.
Provides muscle attachment.
Maintains forearm stability.

20. What type of joint is the wrist (radiocarpal)?

👉 Ellipsoid (condyloid) synovial joint.

21. Which bones participate in wrist articulation?

Radius and articular disc (above) with scaphoid, lunate, triquetral (below).
Ulna does not participate directly.

22. What are the major ligaments of the wrist?

👉 Palmar radiocarpal, dorsal radiocarpal, ulnar collateral, radial collateral.

23. What is the most commonly fractured carpal bone?

👉 Scaphoid — tenderness in anatomical snuffbox, risk of avascular necrosis.

24. What type of joint is the 1st carpometacarpal joint of thumb?

👉 Saddle-type synovial joint.
Allows flexion, extension, abduction, adduction, opposition, and circumduction.

25. What movement enables opposition of the thumb?

👉 Combined abduction, flexion, and medial rotation at 1st CMC joint.

26. Which joints in the hand share a common synovial cavity?

👉 Intercarpal, midcarpal, and CMC (2nd–5th) joints share a cavity.
The 1st CMC and pisotriquetral are separate.

27. What type of joint is the MCP joint?

👉 Condyloid (ellipsoid) synovial joint.
Permits flexion, extension, abduction, adduction, and circumduction.

28. What type of joint is the interphalangeal (IP) joint?

👉 Hinge-type synovial joint allowing flexion and extension only.

29. Which ligaments prevent hyperextension at MCP and IP joints?

👉 Palmar (volar) plates.

30. What is the “axis” for finger abduction and adduction?

👉 The middle finger acts as the central axis — can abduct both ways but cannot adduct.

31. What deformity results from rupture of extensor tendon at DIP joint?

👉 Mallet finger — distal phalanx droops.

32. What deformities are typical of rheumatoid arthritis?

👉 Swan-neck (PIP hyperextension, DIP flexion) and Boutonnière (PIP flexion, DIP hyperextension).

33. What causes “trigger finger”?

Thickening of fibrous flexor sheath → tendon catches during motion → finger “snaps” on extension.

34. What is Dupuytren’s contracture?

Fibrosis of palmar aponeurosis → flexion deformity at MCP and PIP joints, usually of ring and little fingers.

35. Why is thumb opposition important?

It enables precision grip and fine motor control unique to humans.

36. What is the role of deep transverse metacarpal ligaments?

They connect the 2nd–5th MCP joints, maintaining the palmar arch and alignment during grip.

37. Which joint allows the greatest mobility in the upper limb?

👉 Glenohumeral (shoulder) joint.

38. Which joint provides greatest stability in upper limb?

👉 Elbow joint — strong ligamentous support and interlocking bony architecture.

39. What are the three joints forming the elbow complex?

👉 Humeroulnar, Humeroradial, and Superior radioulnar joints.

40. What movements occur at the radiocarpal joint?

👉 Flexion, extension, abduction, adduction, and circumduction.

✅ Summary Insight

Every joint of the upper limb is adapted for maximum mobility with functional stability, supported by ligaments, muscle tone, and joint congruence.
Pathologies often reflect overuse, trauma, or degeneration of these stabilizing structures.

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