Radius and ulna: want to learn more about it?
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Radius and ulna
Learning objectives
After completing this study unit you will learn how to:
- Name the major bony landmarks of the radius and ulna.
- List the main ligaments that connect the radius with the ulna.
Watch a video
The radius and ulna are the two bones of the forearm. They articulate with the humerus at the elbow, and with the carpal bones at the wrist. In the anatomical position, the radius sits on the lateral aspect of the forearm, while the ulna is found medially. The radius and ulna articulate with each other at the proximal and distal radioulnar joints, while their bodies are connected by an interosseous membrane. These two joints allow the radius to move around the ulna, giving us the familiar palm facing up or palm facing down positions of the forearm. When the palm of the hand faces up (or forwards) we name this position supination. When the palm faces downwards the forearm is in a pronated position. Watch the following video and browse the atlas below to learn about the main features of these two bones.
Take a quiz
Now that you have watched our video on the radius and ulna check your knowledge by taking the following quiz.
Challenge yourself further, customize your own quiz on the elbow and forearm structures.
Browse atlas
:watermark(/images/watermark_5000_10percent.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/overview_image/744/kMQyczxIKCxU5ncr5IqvQ_forearm-bones-and-ligaments_english.jpg "Radius and ulna: Like all long bones, the radius and ulna both have a head, a body or shaft, articulating surfaces and a number of ‘bumps and grooves’ that serve as attachment points for muscles and connective tissue, or pathways for nerves, vessels and tendons. The head of the radius is located at the bone’s proximal end. It is small and circular, and contributes to formation of the humeroradial joint (of the elbow) with the capitulum of the humerus. It also forms the proximal radioulnar joint with the radial notch of the ulna. The distal end of the radius is enlarged for articulation with both the ulna (distal radioulnar joint) and with the carpal bones at the wrist (radiocarpal joint). Unlike the radius, the head of the ulna is located at the bone’s distal aspect; it articulates with the radius at the distal radioulnar joint and does not participate in forming the wrist joint. The proximal end of the ulna, the olecranon, is shaped like a hook; this projection hinges around the trochlea at the distal end of the humerus forming the humeroulnar joint of the elbow. Browse the atlas to learn the specific features of the radial and ulna bones."){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/caput-radii/7CqfhMAgD0KR6u0p9sE1Q_jBqg66MGSR_Caput_radii_1.png "Head of radius (Caput radii); Image: Yousun Koh"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/collum-radii/OOOLa0f7X90kJwEGzeXXA_efGpjBBiw5_Collum_radii_1.png "Neck of radius (Collum radii); Image: Yousun Koh"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/ligamentum-anulare-radii/IxwnlvuavcDvh4WUnRGaA_zDG5Xtq2sV_Ligamentum_anulare_radii_1.png "Annular ligament of radius (Ligamentum anulare radii); Image: Yousun Koh"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/ligamentum-collaterale-radiale/smSLb5OOvSlWbrzExAv0SA_yjKn943LE1_Ligamentum_collaterale_radiale_1.png "Radial collateral ligament of elbow joint (Ligamentum collaterale radiale cubiti); Image: Yousun Koh"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/ligamentum-collaterale-ulnare/6HKxjdErvdQw88q6pNlfJw_qyNabmnGdg_Ligamentum_collaterale_ulnare_1.png "Ulnar collateral ligament of elbow (Ligamentum collaterale ulnare cubiti); Image: Yousun Koh"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/margo-anterior-radii/cK9TZZivOt8xnLcH4xwF2Q_zyBoHPcpz5_Margo_anterior_radii_1.png "Anterior border of radius (Margo anterior radii); Image: Yousun Koh"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/margo-anterior-ulnae/suvZPT5xBh1scyUwp76H6g_jcsfJWCGCK_Margo_anterior_ulnae_1.png "Anterior border of ulna (Margo anterior ulnae); Image: Yousun Koh"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/margo-posterior-radii/BAteZe7u8YbFxJVfqXhqGw_iSpNZ3PeSq_Margo_posterior_radii_1.png "Posterior border of radius (Margo posterior radii); Image: Yousun Koh"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/membrana-interossea-antebrachii/0PwjnS78Ao2nhrYCv4aQIA_otRVqnge5B_Membrana_interossea_antebrachii_1.png "Interosseous membrane of forearm (Membrana interossea antebrachii); Image: Yousun Koh"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/olecranon/IjDXNKAuQZ9oCCulCoMwg_34m2dbZRSX_Olecranon_1.png "Olecranon of ulna (Olecranon ulnae); Image: Yousun Koh"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/processus-coronoideus/8CbsenmwhaMP7i6OqNKGJA_xhgPov2Bms_Processus_coronoideus_1.png "Coronoid process of ulna (Processus coronoideus ulnae); Image: Yousun Koh"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/processus-styloideus-radii/Jt51sUw3OE4Yoje57AhgPw_S7oppyWyEw_Processus_styloideus_radii_1.png "Styloid process of radius (Processus styloideus radii); Image: Yousun Koh"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/processus-styloideus-ulnae/LT06c4CPyYGLuTWMhVFQ_PxmQJy8Aq1_Processus_styloideus_ulnae_1.png "Styloid process of ulna (Processus styloideus ulnae); Image: Yousun Koh"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/tuberculum-dorsale/f4BhO1pPtx55MnxBLlQw_1AyKQyeHjc_Tuberculum_dorsale_1.png "Dorsal radial tubercle (Tuberculum dorsale radii); Image: Yousun Koh"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/tuberositas-radii/37jeukpD2TYu0uTLZ9VjNA_qQGB9EfoBB_Tuberositas_radii_1.png "Radial tuberosity (Tuberositas radii); Image: Yousun Koh"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/tuberositas-ulnae/5L3Ojq2prG9jwASJ9JjRg_PEYKmDigEp_Tuberositas_ulnae_1.png "Tuberosity of ulna (Tuberositas ulnae); Image: Yousun Koh"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/articular-facet-of-head-of-radius/8uR6UGpk8I1x8jFNNMFVTA_Articular_facet_of_head_of_radius.png "Articular facet of head of radius (Fovea articularis capitis radii); Image: Yousun Koh"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/articular-circumference-of-head-of-radius/h0h3AFyCzrzhmZV9mky2ng_Articular_circumference_of_head_of_radius.png "Articular circumference of head of radius (Circumferentia articularis capitis radii); Image: Yousun Koh"){kind=logo}
Summary
| Bony landmarks of radius | Head, neck, articular circumference of head, articular facet of head, body, anterior border, posterior border, interosseous border, radial tuberosity, pronator tuberosity, suprastyloid crest, styloid process, dorsal radial tubercle, carpal articular surface |
| Bony landmarks of ulna | Olecranon, trochlear notch, coronoid process, tuberosity of ulna, radial notch, sublime tubercle, body, anterior border, posterior border, interosseous border, head |
| Ligaments | Interosseous membrane of forearm Oblique cord Annular ligament of radius Radial collateral ligament of elbow joint Ulnar collateral ligament of elbow Dorsal radioulnar ligament Palmar radioulnar ligament |
Well done!
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Continue your learning
Learn about the muscles acting on the forearm by continuing your learning here;
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