Surface Markings of Joints of Upper Limb

Topic Overview

Shoulder Joint

• The anterior margin of the glenoid cavity corresponds to the lower half of the shoulder joint.

• Marking: Draw a 3 cm line downward from a point just lateral to the tip of the coracoid process.

• The line should be slightly concave laterally.

• This represents the capsule’s anterior aspect and helps locate the joint for aspiration or injection.

Elbow Joint

• The joint line lies 2 cm below the line joining the medial and lateral epicondyles of the humerus.

• It slopes downward and medially, accounting for the carrying angle seen in the extended elbow.

• This marking is used to identify intra-articular effusions or to guide joint puncture.

Wrist (Radiocarpal) Joint

• The joint line is concave downwards.

• Marking: Join the styloid processes of the radius and ulna.

• This corresponds to the articulation between the distal radius and the proximal carpal bones (mainly scaphoid and lunate).

• Clinically useful for locating the wrist capsule in synovitis or tenosynovitis.