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.