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Quizzes > Health & Medicine

Humerus Bone Quiz: Test Your Upper Arm Anatomy

Quick, free humerus anatomy quiz with instant feedback on landmarks and labels.

Editorial: Review CompletedCreated By: Ioana MunteanUpdated Aug 26, 2025
Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
Paper art illustration of scapula clavicle humerus bones on sky blue background with free humerus bone quiz text

This humerus bone quiz helps you review the humerus and nearby shoulder bones, so you can spot gaps before lab or a test. For labeling practice, try label the humerus. Build bone basics with the compact bone quiz, or step back with a full-body check in the skeletal system quiz.

The humeral head articulates with the glenoid fossa of the scapula to form the shoulder joint.
True
False
The glenohumeral (shoulder) joint is formed by the articulation of the humeral head and the glenoid fossa of the scapula, allowing for a wide range of upper limb motion.
The surgical neck of the humerus is located immediately above the greater and lesser tubercles.
True
False
The anatomical neck is immediately above the tubercles; the surgical neck is inferior to the tubercles and is a common fracture site.
The greater tubercle of the humerus serves as the attachment site for the supraspinatus, infraspinatus, and teres minor muscles.
True
False
All three of these rotator cuff muscles (supraspinatus, infraspinatus, teres minor) insert onto the greater tubercle of the humerus.
The clavicle only articulates with the scapula at the coracoid process.
True
False
The clavicle actually forms a joint with the acromion process of the scapula, known as the acromioclavicular joint.
The deltoid tuberosity is the prominent ridge found on the medial border of the humeral shaft.
True
False
The deltoid tuberosity is located on the lateral surface of the humerus, where the deltoid muscle attaches.
The lesser tubercle of the humerus provides insertion for the subscapularis muscle.
True
False
The subscapularis muscle attaches to the lesser tubercle, differentiating it from other rotator cuff muscles.
The radial groove is found on the anterior surface of the humerus.
False
True
The radial groove is located on the posterior surface of the humeral shaft, serving as a landmark for the radial nerve and profunda brachii artery.
A fracture at the surgical neck of the humerus most often risks injury to the axillary nerve.
False
True
The axillary nerve winds around the surgical neck of the humerus, making it susceptible to damage if this region is fractured.
The glenoid labrum increases the depth of the glenoid cavity, providing additional stability to the shoulder joint.
False
True
The fibrocartilaginous glenoid labrum encircles the glenoid fossa, deepening it to enhance shoulder joint stability without limiting mobility.
The anatomical neck of the humerus is a common site for fractures in the elderly.
False
True
The surgical neck, not the anatomical neck, is more frequently fractured, especially in elderly individuals due to falls.
The acromion is a part of the humerus bone.
False
True
The acromion is a projection of the scapula, not the humerus. It forms part of the shoulder's bony arch.
Damage to the radial nerve, often from a mid-shaft humeral fracture, can result in wrist drop.
False
True
The radial nerve travels in the radial groove on the humerus; injury here can lead to wrist drop due to loss of wrist extensor function.
The sternal end of the clavicle is lateral and articulates with the scapula.
True
False
The sternal end of the clavicle is medial, articulating with the manubrium of the sternum, while the acromial end articulates with the scapula.
The coracoid process is a major landmark of the humerus.
False
True
The coracoid process is a projection from the scapula, not the humerus. It serves as a muscle and ligament attachment site.
The capitulum is located at the distal end of the humerus and articulates with the radius.
False
True
The capitulum is found at the distal lateral end of the humerus and forms part of the elbow joint, articulating with the head of the radius.
The lesser tubercle is more lateral than the greater tubercle on the humerus.
False
True
The greater tubercle is lateral, while the lesser tubercle is more anterior and medial on the humerus.
The trochlea of the humerus articulates with the ulna to form part of the elbow joint.
True
False
The trochlea is the spool-shaped structure at the distal humerus that articulates with the ulna's trochlear notch.
The supraspinatus muscle inserts onto the subscapular fossa of the scapula.
True
False
The supraspinatus muscle originates from the supraspinous fossa of the scapula but inserts onto the greater tubercle of the humerus.
The axillary nerve passes anterior to the humeral neck.
True
False
The axillary nerve wraps around the surgical neck of the humerus posteriorly, not anteriorly.
A fracture to the mid-shaft of the humerus is most likely to affect wrist extension by damaging the radial nerve.
True
False
The radial nerve courses along the radial groove at the humeral mid-shaft; injury here can impair wrist extension, leading to wrist drop.
0
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Study Outcomes

  1. Identify key humerus landmarks -

    Recognize and name the major anatomical features of the humerus, such as the head, anatomical neck, greater and lesser tubercles, and epicondyles.

  2. Describe scapula and clavicle structures -

    Explain the prominent processes and surfaces of the scapula and clavicle, including the acromion, coracoid process, and sternal end.

  3. Differentiate muscle attachment sites -

    Distinguish the specific areas on the humerus where key muscles attach, enhancing your understanding of muscular function and leverage.

  4. Apply true/false reasoning -

    Use critical thinking to evaluate statements about humerus anatomy in a true or false format, reinforcing accurate recall of bone features.

  5. Recall anatomical relationships -

    Understand how the humerus, scapula, and clavicle interact at the shoulder joint and contribute to upper limb movement.

  6. Enhance self-assessment skills -

    Develop confidence in testing your own knowledge through targeted questions, preparing you for more advanced anatomy quizzes.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Humeral Landmarks and Neck Regions -

    Review the distinction between the anatomical neck, surgical neck, and key tubercles (greater and lesser tubercle) as tested in a humerus bone quiz. The deltoid tuberosity on the lateral shaft is a consistent landmark for deltoid attachment. Use the mnemonic "GS-DL" (Glenohumeral Surface - Deltoid Lateral) to remember Greater tubercle, Surgical neck, Deltoid tuberosity, and Lesser tubercle positions.

  2. Glenohumeral and Acromioclavicular Articulations -

    Understand how the humeral head fits into the glenoid fossa of the scapula and how the acromion and clavicle form the acromioclavicular joint. Quiz questions often probe the range of motion allowed by this ball-and-socket arrangement. Recall that the shallow glenoid labrum deepens the socket, enhancing joint stability without compromising mobility.

  3. Rotator Cuff Muscle Attachments (SITS) -

    Memorize the SITS mnemonic for Supraspinatus, Infraspinatus, Teres minor, and Subscapularis attachments on the humerus. Each muscle inserts on specific tubercles: supraspinatus and infraspinatus on the greater, teres minor adjacent to infraspinatus, and subscapularis on the lesser tubercle. This is a favorite focus of any humerus anatomy quiz to test muscular-skeletal relationships.

  4. Neurovascular Pathways -

    Identify the radial groove on the posterior humerus where the radial nerve and profunda brachii artery course. Damage to this area in mid-shaft fractures often leads to wrist drop, a classic clinical correlation. Remember "surgical neck = axillary nerve" and "radial groove = radial nerve" to ace neurovascular questions.

  5. Common Fracture Patterns and Clinical Signs -

    Differentiate surgical neck fractures, which risk axillary nerve injury, from mid-shaft fractures affecting the radial nerve. True/false quiz items may ask about wrist drop or shoulder deltoid weakness following specific fracture sites. Relate each fracture type to its clinical sign for quick recall during a humerus bone anatomy quiz.

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