Surgical Neck of Humerus
The structure indicated is the
surgical neck of the humerus. The proximal end of the humerus consists of the following features:
- Head
- Anatomical neck
- Surgical neck
- Greater and lesser tubercles
- Intertubercular sulcus (bicipital groove)
- Deltoid tuberosity
- Superior, middle and inferior facets
The
anatomical neck of the humerus is located distal to the head of the humerus, at an oblique angle to the shaft of the humerus. The
surgical neck of the humerus on the other hand is a constriction of the humerus located inferior to the
greater and
lesser tubercles. It is a clinically important anatomical feature of the humerus as it is the
most frequently fractured site of the proximal humerus, putting the
axillary nerve and
posterior circumflex humeral branch of the axillary artery at risk. Learn more about the features of the
humerus in this anatomy tutorial.
