Upper Extremities
20 Humerus
Anatomy
humerus: body, trochlea, capitulum, medial condyle, lateral condyle, coronoid fossa, radial fossa, olecranon fossa, head, anatomic neck, surgical neck, lesser tubercle, greater tubercle (tuberosity), intertubercular groove
scapula: coracoid process, acromion, glenoid cavity
Projections
[Part], PA or AP
CR Location
[Part], PA or AP –
Evaluation Criteria
AP Humerus Evaluation Criteria: Entire shoulder visualized including 1 inch of forearm and entire shoulder joint. Greater tubercle and humeral epicondyles seen in profile.
Lateral Humerus Evaluation Criteria: Entire shoulder visualized including 1 inch of forearm and entire shoulder joint. Lesser tubercle seen in profile. Humeral epicondyles superimposed.
Transthoracic Lateral Humerus Evaluation Criteria: Proximal half of humerus visualized. Ribs blurred if breathing technique was used.
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Hows & Whys of Humerus Radiography
- With what does the head of the humerus articulate?
- The glenoid fossa
- When there is a suspected fracture, or when there is a hanging cast, what method is used to obtain the lateral projection?
- Transthoracic lateral
- With what does the trochlear notch of the ulna articulate?
- The trochlea
- How can you tell that the humerus was in AP position?
- The greater tubercle is seen in profile.
- How can you tell that the humerus was in lateral position?
- The lesser tubercle is seen in profile.
- In which position are the epicondyles of the humerus perpendicular to the plane of the image?
- Lateral
- In which position are the epicondyles of the humerus parallel to the plane of the image?
- AP