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Surgical neck of humerus
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The surgical neck of the humerus refers to a narrowing of the humeral body below the greater and lesser tubercles.
It is a site commonly susceptible to fractures, as it is the weakest region of the long body of the humerus.
The surgical neck of the humerus is in close proximity to two endangered structures: the axillary nerve and the posterior circumflex humeral artery.
The axillary nerve, which innervates the teres minor and deltoid muscles, can be easily injured, as it winds around the surgical neck, just inferior to the head of the humerus.
The posterior circumflex humeral artery curves around the surgical neck of the humerus to supply the surrounding muscles and the glenohumeral joint. It forms rich anastomoses with the anterior circumflex humeral artery along with the deep brachial artery and the acromial branches of the suprascapular and thoracoacromial arteries.
| Terminology |
English: Surgical neck of humerus Latin: Collum chirurgicum humeri |
| Definition | The surgical neck of the humerus refers to a narrowing of the humeral body below the greater and lesser tubercles, which is a common fracture site. |
Learn more about the different anatomical landmarks of the humerus in the following study unit:
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