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 video
The radius and ulna are the two bones of the forearm. They articulate proximally with the humerus at the elbow, and distally with the carpal bones at the wrist. In the anatomical position, the radius is positioned 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, allowing for a palm facing up (supinated) or palm facing down (pronated) positioning of the forearm.
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.
Download the following PDF and learn the anatomical landmarks of the radius and ulna.
Browse atlas
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: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/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}
: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/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/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/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/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/margo-anterior-ulnae/YI03R0NU9HBYNAwlfBr3Q_Anterior_border_of_ulna.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/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/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/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/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/ligamentum-collaterale-ulnare/JqoazVGxg5yTan3BS7DUA_Ulnar_collateral_ligament_of_elbow.jpg "Ulnar collateral ligament of elbow joint (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/ligamentum-collaterale-radiale/OX4ou285E0gB0LzgtKLkA_Radial_collateral_ligament_of_elbow_joint.jpg "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-anulare-radii/A0W3KuK9T9nHLcL45Jj6Jg_Anular_ligament.jpg "Anular 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/oblique-cord-1/pPB8hscqfx37U8J2MbFS5A_Oblique_cord.jpg "Oblique cord (Chorda obliqua); 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/quadrate-ligament/KvI13GziUJ8X7Ta37BudCA_Quadrate_ligament.jpg "Quadrate ligament (Ligamentum quadratum); Image: Paul Kim"){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/palmar-radioulnar-ligament-2/E1ZAIJD9naWo5Eigq9iM8w_Palmar_radioulnar_ligament.jpg "Palmar radioulnar ligament (Ligamentum radioulnare palmare); 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/dorsal-radioulnar-ligament/j3rZunHd8uc8rq1Nhmbaag_dorsal_radioulnar_ligament_magni.png "Dorsal radioulnar ligament (Ligamentum radioulnare dorsale); Image: Paul Kim"){kind=logo}
Summary
| Proximal end |
Head: articular facet of head of radius (for capitulum of humerus), articular circumference of head of radius (for radial notch of ulna)) Neck |
| Body |
Surfaces: Anterior, lateral, superior Borders: Anterior, interosseous, posterior Landmarks: Radial tuberosity, pronator tuberosity, suprastyloid crest |
| Distal end | Radial styloid process, dorsal radial tubercle, ulnar notch, carpal articular surface |
| Proximal end | Olecranon, coronoid process, tuberosity of ulna, radial notch, trochlear notch |
| Body |
Surfaces: Anterior, posterior, medial Borders: Anterior, interosseous, posterior |
| Distal end | Head of ulna: articular circumference of head of ulna, ulnar styloid process |
| Ligaments | Interosseous membrane of forearm Oblique cord Anular ligament of radius Radial collateral ligament of elbow joint Ulnar collateral ligament of elbow joint Quadrate ligament Dorsal radioulnar ligament Palmar radioulnar ligament |
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