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==Overview==
In [[anatomy]], an '''arm''' is one of the [[upper limb]]s of an animal. The term ''arm'' can also be used for analogous structures, such as one of the paired upper limbs of a four-legged animal, or the arms of an [[octopus]]. Anatomically, the term ''arm'' refers specifically to the segment between the [[shoulder]] and the [[Elbow-joint|elbow]]. The segment between the elbow and [[wrist]] is the [[forearm]]. However, in colloquial speech the term ''arm'' often refers to the entire upper limb from shoulder to wrist.

In primates the arms are richly adapted for both climbing and for more skilled, manipulative tasks.  The ball and socket shoulder joint allows for movement of the arms in a wide circular plane, while the presence of two forearm bones which can rotate around each other allows for additional range of motion at this level.
[[Image:Upperarm.jpg|right|thumb|250px|The human upper arm]]
==Anatomy of the human arm==
The human arm contains bones, joints, muscles, nerves, and blood vessels. Many of these muscles are used for everyday tasks.

===Bony structure and joints===
[[Image:Human arm bones diagram.svg|thumb|right|284px|bone structure of a human arm]]

The [[humerus]] is the (upper) arm bone.  It joins with the [[scapula]] above at the [[shoulder|shoulder joint]] (or glenohumeral joint) and with the [[ulna]] and [[radius (bone)|radius]] below at the [[Elbow-joint|elbow joint]].

====Elbow joint====
{{main|Elbow-joint}}
The elbow joint is the [[hinge joint]] between the distal end of the humerus and the proximal ends of the radius and ulna.
The upper arm bone is not easily broken. It is built to handle pressure of up to 300lbs.

===Osteofascial compartments===
The arm is divided by a [[fascia|fascial]] layer (known as lateral and medial [[intermuscular septa]]) separating the muscles into two ''osteofascial compartments'':

* [[Anterior compartment of the arm]]
* [[Posterior compartment of the arm]]

The fascia merges with the [[periosteum]] (outer bone layer) of the humerus. The compartments contain muscles which are innervated by the same nerve and perform the same action. 

Two other muscles are considered to be partially in the arm:
* The large [[deltoid muscle]] is considered to have part of its body in the anterior compartment. This muscle is the main [[abductor muscle]] of the upper limb and extends over the shoulder. 

* The [[brachioradialis]] muscle originates in the arm but inserts into the forearm. This muscle is responsible for rotating the hand so its palm faces forward ([[supination]]).

===Cubital fossa===
The [[cubital fossa]] is clinically important for [[venepuncture]] and for [[blood pressure]] measurement. It is an imaginary triangle with borders being:
*Laterally, the medial border of [[brachioradialis]] muscle
*Medially, the lateral border of [[pronator teres]] muscle
*Superiorly, the [[intercondylar line]], an imaginary line between the two [[condyle]]s of the [[humerus]]
*The floor is the [[brachialis]] muscle
*The roof is the [[skin]] and [[fascia]] of the arm and forearm
The structures which smell through the cubital fossa are vital. The order from which they pass into the forearm are as follows, from medial to lateral:
*[[Median nerve]], which starts to branch
*[[Brachial artery]]
*Tendon of the [[biceps brachii]] muscle
*[[Radial nerve]]
*[[Median cubital vein]] - this important vein is where venepuncture occurs. It connects the [[basilic vein|basilic]] and [[cephalic vein]]s.
*lymph nodes

===Nervous supply===
The [[musculocutaneous nerve]], from C5, C6, C7, is the main supplier of muscles of the anterior compartment. It originates from the lateral cord of the [[brachial plexus]] of nerves. It pierces the [[coracobrachialis]] muscle and gives off branches to the muscle, as well as to [[brachialis]] and [[biceps brachii]]. It terminates as the [[anterior cutaneous nerve of the forearm]].

The [[radial nerve]], which is from the fifth cervical spinal nerve to the first thoracic spinal nerve, originates as the continuation of the posterior cord of the brachial plexus. This nerve enters the [[lower triangular space]] (an imaginary space bounded by, amongst others, the shaft of the humerus and the triceps brachii) of the arm and lies deep to the triceps brachii. Here it travels with a deep artery of the arm (the [[profunda brachii]]), which sits in the [[radial groove]] of the humerus. This fact is very important clinically as a fracture of the bone at the shaft of the bone here can cause [[lesion]]s or even transections in the nerve. 

Other nerves passing through give no supply to the arm. These include:
*The [[median nerve]], nerve origin C5-T1, which is a branch of the lateral and medial cords of the [[brachial plexus]]. This nerve continues in the arm, travelling in a plane between the biceps and triceps muscles. At the cubital fossa, this nerve is deep to the [[pronator teres]] muscle and is the most medial structure in the fossa. The nerve passes into the [[forearm]].
*The [[ulnar nerve]], origin C7-T1, is a continuation of the medial cord of the [[brachial plexus]]. This nerve passes in the same plane as the [[median nerve]], between the biceps and triceps muscles.   At the elbow, this nerve travels posterior to the medial epicondyle of the humerus. This means that condylar [[fracture]]s can cause lesion to this nerve.

===Blood supply and venous drainage===
====Arteries====
The main artery in the arm is the [[brachial artery]]. This artery is a continuation of the [[axillary artery]]. The point at which the axillary becomes the brachial is distal to the lower border of teres major. The [[brachial artery]] gives off an important branch, the [[profunda brachii]] (deep artery of the arm). This branching occurs just below the lower border of teres major. 

The brachial artery continues to the [[cubital fossa]] in the anterior compartment of the arm. It travels in a plane between the biceps and triceps muscles, the same as the [[median nerve]] and [[basilic vein]]. It is accompanied by [[venae comitantes]] (accompanying veins). It gives branches to the muscles of the anterior compartment. The artery is in between the [[median nerve]] and the tendon of the [[biceps brachii|biceps]] muscle in the cubital fossa. It then continues into the [[forearm]].

The profunda brachii travels through the [[lower triangular space]] with the [[radial nerve]]. From here onwards it has an intimate relationship with the radial nerve. They are both found deep to the triceps muscle and are located on the spiral groove of the [[humerus]]. Therefore [[fracture]] of the bone may not only lead to lesion of the [[radial nerve]], but also [[haematoma]] of the internal structures of the arm. The artery then continues on to [[anastamosis|anastamose]] with the [[recurrent radial]] branch of the [[brachial artery]], providing a diffuse blood supply for the [[Elbow-joint|elbow joint]].

====Veins====
The veins of the arm carry blood from the extremities of the limb, as well as drain the arm itself. The two main veins are the [[basilic vein|basilic]] and the [[cephalic vein]]s. There is a connecting vein between the two, the [[median cubital vein]], which passes through the [[cubital fossa]] and is clinically important for [[venepuncture]] (withdrawing blood).

The basilic vein travels on the medial side of the arm and terminates at the level of the seventh rib.

The cephalic vein travels on the lateral side of the arm and terminates as the axillary vein. It passes through the deltopectoral triangle, a space between the deltoid and the pectoralis major muscles.

==See also==
*[[Anatomical terms of location]]

==Additional images==
<gallery>
 Image:Gray413.png|Cross-section through the middle of upper arm.
</gallery>
http://search.live.com/images/results.aspx?FORM=MSNH&v=1&MKT=en-au&RS=CHECKED&GO=GO&q=the%20human%20arm#focal=00edbb500c5c0eba011c694fa96882cf&furl=http://www.handuniversity.com/images/illustrations/elbow_arthro_anatomy01.jpg

== External links ==
{{commons|Arm|Arm}}
* [http://www.ric.org/about/news/pr_display.php?id=319 Neuro-controlled bionic arm].
* [http://www.aofoundation.org/wps/portal/surgeryskully Arm fractures]
* {{MeshName|Arm}}
* {{eMedicineDictionary|Arm}}


{{human anatomical features}} 
{{Upper limb general}}

[[Category:Upper limb anatomy]]

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