Upper Extremity Joints

Joe Muscolino

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    The joints of the upper extremity are:

    • Sternoclavicular (SC) joint between the medial/proximal end of the clavicle and the manubrium of the sternum.
    • Scapulocostal (aka scapulothoracic) joint between the scapula and thoracic rib cage wall.
    • Acromioclavicular (AC) joint between the lateral/distal end of the clavicle and the acromion process of the scapula.
    • Glenohumeral (GH) joint between the glenoid fossa of the scapula and the head of the humerus.
    • Elbow joint complex between the distal end of the humerus and the ulna and radius.
    • Radioulnar (RU) joints between the radius and ulna.
    • Wrist joint complex between the radius and ulna and the carpal bones.
    • Carpometacarpal (CMC) joints between the carpals and the metacarpals.
    • Intermetacarpal joints.
    • Metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joints between the metacarpals and the proximal phalanges.
    • Interphalangeal (IP) joints between the phalanges.

     

    NOTES:

    1. The only osseous joint that is holding the entire upper extremity to the axial body is the sternoclavicular joint.
    2. The scapulocostal joint is technically not anatomically an osseous joint (it is not a fibrous, cartilaginous, or synovial joint). It is physiologically a joint though. Sometimes it is described as a functional interface.
    3. The glenohumeral joint is the most mobile joint in the human body.
    4. The elbow joint complex is composed of the humeroulnar joint (between the trochlea of the humerus and the olecranon process of the ulna) and the humeroradial joint (between the capitulum of the humerus and the head of the radius).
    5. The humeroulnar joint is the principal joint of the elbow joint complex.
    6. There are three radioulnar joints: proximal, middle, and distal.
    7. The wrist joint complex is composed of the radiocarpal joint, ulnocarpal joint, midcarpal joint, and intercarpal joints.
    8. The radiocarpal joint is the principal joint of the wrist joint complex.
    9. The midcarpal joint is located between the proximal and distal rows of carpal bones.
    10. The intercarpal joints are located between individual carpal bones.
    11. The carpometacarpal joint of the thumb, the saddle joint of the thumb, is functionally extremely important.
    12. There is one interphalangeal joint in the thumb.
    13. Fingers 2-5 (index, middle, ring, and little) have two interphalangeal joints each: proximal interphalangeal (PIP) and distal interphalangeal (DIP) joints.

     

    Anterolateral view of the sternoclavicular, acromioclavicular, and scapulocostal joints on the right side of the body.

    Anterolateral view of the sternoclavicular, acromioclavicular, and scapulocostal joints on the right side of the body.

     

    Anterior view of the joints of the upper extremity on the right side of the body.

    Anterior view of the joints of the upper extremity on the right side of the body.

     

    Posterior view of the joints of the upper extremity on the right side of the body.

    Posterior view of the joints of the upper extremity on the right side of the body.