The word "ulna" is spelled with four letters - u, l, n, and a. It is pronounced /ʌlnə/ in IPA phonetic transcription. The letter "u" makes an "uh" sound, followed by the letter "l" that produces an "l" sound. The next letter "n" is pronounced as an "n" sound, and the final letter "a" makes an "uh" sound. The word refers to the longer bone of the forearm, and its spelling follows the English language's phonetic rules.
The ulna is a noun referring to one of the two bones in the forearm, located on the side opposite to the thumb. It is a long, slender bone that is slightly curved and runs parallel to the radius bone. The ulna extends from the elbow joint to the wrist joint and plays a crucial role in allowing movement of the forearm.
Anatomically, the ulna is characterized by its various features. It has a thick upper end known as the olecranon process, which forms the prominent bony point of the elbow. The ulna also possesses a shorter, rounded lower end called the styloid process, which articulates with the wrist bones. In addition, the bone features a body that gradually tapers along its length and has two distinct borders – the anterior (front) and the posterior (back) border.
Furthermore, the ulna forms an integral part of the forearm's structure and function. Together with the radius bone, it enables the forearm to rotate and perform actions such as supination (turning the palm up) and pronation (turning the palm down). Additionally, the ulna provides support and stability to the arm and helps with the attachment of muscles, tendons, and ligaments.
Overall, the ulna is an essential bone in the human body that contributes to the strength, flexibility, and movements of the forearm and hand.
In anat., the larger of the two bones that form the forearm, or that portion between the wrist and elbow.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
The word "ulna" comes from the Latin term "ulnā", which referred to the bone located on the medial side of the forearm (the side of the arm facing the body when the palm is facing upwards). The Latin term "ulnā" itself is believed to have derived from the Proto-Indo-European root "*el-", which means "forearm" or "elbow". The word "ulna" has remained relatively unchanged in numerous languages, including English, where it continues to signify the specific bone in the forearm.