Topic Overview

Viva Voce – Bones of Upper Limb

Clavicle

• Q: Why is clavicle called a modified long bone?
  → Lies horizontally, no medullary cavity, ossifies in membrane.

• Q: Which muscle elevates the medial fragment in fracture clavicle?
  → Sternocleidomastoid.

• Q: Which part of clavicle is most commonly fractured?
  → Junction of medial 2/3 and lateral 1/3.

Scapula

• Q: Which tubercle gives attachment to long head of biceps?
  → Supraglenoid tubercle.

• Q: Which tubercle gives attachment to long head of triceps?
  → Infraglenoid tubercle.

• Q: What is winging of scapula?
  → Paralysis of serratus anterior (long thoracic nerve injury).

Humerus

• Q: Which nerve is related to surgical neck of humerus?
  → Axillary nerve.

• Q: Which nerve is related to spiral groove of humerus?
  → Radial nerve.

• Q: Which structure is endangered in supracondylar fracture in children?
  → Brachial artery.

Radius

• Q: Which bone of forearm is lateral in anatomical position?
  → Radius.

• Q: Which fracture produces dinner fork deformity?
  → Colles’ fracture (distal radius).

• Q: Which structure grooves the dorsal tubercle of radius?
  → Tendon of extensor pollicis longus.

Ulna

• Q: Which bone forms the olecranon process?
  → Ulna.

• Q: What is Monteggia fracture?
  → Fracture of proximal ulna with dislocation of radial head.

• Q: What is the importance of olecranon and epicondyles in diagnosis of dislocation?
  → In extension → straight line; in flexion → equilateral triangle.

Carpals

• Q: Name the proximal row of carpal bones.
  → Scaphoid, Lunate, Triquetral, Pisiform.

• Q: Which carpal bone is most commonly fractured?
  → Scaphoid.

• Q: Which carpal bone is most commonly dislocated?
  → Lunate.

Metacarpals

• Q: What is Boxer’s fracture?
  → Fracture of neck of 5th metacarpal.

• Q: What is Bennett’s fracture?
  → Fracture dislocation at base of 1st metacarpal.

• Q: Which metacarpal has a styloid process?
  → 3rd metacarpal.

Phalanges

• Q: How many phalanges are present in each hand?
  → 14 (2 in thumb, 3 in each finger).

• Q: Which phalanges ossify first?
  → Distal phalanges.

• Q: What is Mallet finger?
  → Extensor tendon avulsion from distal phalanx.

Sesamoids

• Q: Which is the constant sesamoid bone of the hand?
  → Pisiform.

• Q: Where are sesamoids commonly found in the hand?
  → In tendons of flexor pollicis brevis (thumb MCP joint).

• Q: Function of sesamoid bones?
  → Reduce friction, modify pressure, increase efficiency of muscles.