What is the anatomical neck of the humerus?
The anatomical neck of the humerus is the residual epiphyseal plate. An intertubercular groove appears proximally, which demarcates the two tubercles vertically. Following the tubercles is the surgical neck of the humerus, a site commonly susceptible to fractures.
What is the difference between the anatomical and surgical neck of the humerus?
The anatomical neck is the portion that lies just below the head. As the neck continues along the humerus body, it is called the surgical neck (so named because this is the location of many fractures that require surgery).
Is the surgical neck distal to the anatomical neck?
The humerus begins proximally as a rounded head and joins the greater and lesser tubercles via the anatomical neck of the humerus. The surgical neck is found just inferior to the tubercles where the shaft begins.
Why is the surgical neck of the humerus more likely to fracture?
Avascular necrosis of the humeral head: this is more common in complex fractures with multiple fragments where interruption to the blood supply is more likely and in fractures of the surgical neck.
Why surgical neck of humerus is called surgical neck?
The circumference of its articular surface is slightly constricted and is termed the anatomical neck, in contradistinction to a constriction below the tubercles called the surgical neck which is frequently the seat of fracture.
What is surgical neck of humerus?
The surgical neck of the humerus is a constriction below the tubercles of the greater tubercle and lesser tubercle, and above the deltoid tuberosity, specifically found at the proximal end of the body of the humerus, and distally towards the greater tubercle and lesser tubercle.
What is the function of the surgical neck of humerus?
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.
Why surgical neck is called surgical neck?
Where is the anatomical neck of the humerus located in relation to the surgical neck?
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.
What is anatomical neck?
Description. The Anatomical Neck (collum anatomicum) is obliquely directed, forming an obtuse angle with the body. It is best marked in the lower half of its circumference; in the upper half it is represented by a narrow groove separating the head from the tubercles.
Why anatomical neck is called anatomical neck?
Anatomical Parts The circumference of its articular surface is slightly constricted and is termed the anatomical neck, in contradistinction to a constriction below the tubercles called the surgical neck which is frequently the seat of fracture. Fracture of the anatomical neck rarely occurs.
What does anatomical neck mean?
What is a surgical neck of the humerus?
The surgical neck of the humerus is a constriction below the tubercles of the greater tubercle and lesser tubercle, and above the Deltoid Tuberosity. It is much more frequently fractured than the anatomical neck of the humerus.
What is the healing process for a fractured humerus?
Nondisplaced fractures are usually treated by immobilizing the arm in a sling for 7-10 days. This allows gravity to keep the humerus in the correct location. Healing of the bone should begin in three to six weeks.
What is the neck of the humerus?
The anatomical neck of the humerus is obliquely directed, forming an obtuse angle with the body of the humerus. It represents the fused epiphyseal plate.
What is a two part surgical neck fracture?
Two-part surgical neck fractures are the most common type of proximal humerus fracture. Fracture deformity results from the pull of the pectoralis major on the humeral shaft anteriorly and medially. Three fracture patterns are observed based on displacement of the shaft: impacted, unimpacted, and comminuted .