Radiological Anatomy of Upper Limb

Topic Overview

Shoulder Joint

• X-ray Appearance:
  The glenoid cavity articulates with the lower half of the head of the humerus in the anatomical position.
  The greater tuberosity appears as the most lateral bony point.

• Key Landmarks Visible:

  • Head and neck of humerus

  • Acromion process

  • Clavicle’s lateral end

  • Coracoid process (anterior projection)

• Clinical Importance:
  Used to assess dislocations, fractures of the humeral head, and acromioclavicular separation.

Elbow Joint

• Anteroposterior (AP) View:
  Shows the lower end of humerus with its medial and lateral epicondyles, trochlea, capitulum, and olecranon fossa.
  Upper ends of radius and ulna with head, neck, and radial tuberosity also visible.

• Lateral View:
  Demonstrates olecranon and coronoid processes of ulna and the trochlear notch between them.

• Clinical Use:
  For detecting supracondylar fractures, elbow dislocations, and the carrying-angle relationship.

Hand and Wrist

• Structures Recognizable:

  • Lower ends of radius and ulna

  • Carpal bones: scaphoid, lunate, triquetral, pisiform, trapezium, trapezoid, capitate, hamate

  • Metacarpals and phalanges

• Overlapping Bones:

  • Triquetral overlaps pisiform

  • Trapezium overlaps trapezoid

• Clinical Note:
  Essential for identifying fractures of the scaphoid, dislocation of lunate, and alignment in Colles’ fracture.