Upper limb is a term used to refer to the arm, and the hand. The spelling of "upper limb" in IPA phonetic transcription is ˈʌpər lɪm. The "u" is pronounced with a short "uh" sound, the "p" is pronounced with a poppish plosive, the "e" in "er" is pronounced with a short "ih" sound, the "r" is pronounced with a tap or trill depending on the accent, and the "l" is pronounced with a light lateral release. The "i" in "limb" is pronounced with a short "ih" sound.
The term "upper limb" refers to the part of the human body that extends from the shoulder joint to the hand. In anatomical terms, it constitutes the anatomical region known as the "upper extremity." The upper limb is made up of numerous bones, muscles, joints, blood vessels, nerves, and other soft tissues.
Starting at the shoulder joint, the upper limb is anchored by the clavicle and scapula, which together form the shoulder girdle. The upper arm, or brachium, is formed by a single bone called the humerus. Connected to the humerus are the two forearm bones, the radius and ulna. These bones extend down to the wrist joint, where they are connected to the carpals, or wrist bones. The carpals further connect to the metacarpals, or palm bones, and ultimately to the phalanges, which are the bones of the fingers and thumb.
The upper limb is vital for various activities, including movement, manipulation, and sensory perception. It is responsible for carrying out tasks such as reaching, grasping, lifting, and fine motor skills. The muscles of the upper limb play a crucial role in providing stability, strength, and control during these functions. Additionally, numerous blood vessels and nerves traverse the upper limb, supplying oxygen, nutrients, and sensory information to the tissues and communicating with the brain.
Overall, the upper limb is a complex anatomical structure that enables humans to perform a wide range of physical tasks, thereby greatly contributing to their dexterity and functionality in daily life.
The word "upper limb" is a combination of the two English words "upper" and "limb".
The term "limb" dates back to Middle English, where it was derived from the Old English word "lim", meaning "joint, limb, or branch". This Old English word can be traced back to the Proto-Germanic word "limuz", which shares a similar meaning.
The word "upper" is also of Germanic origin. It was derived from the Old English word "up(p)era", which meant "higher in position" or "above". This word can be traced back to the Proto-Germanic word "upp", related to the Old Norse word "upp" and the Dutch word "op".
When combined, "upper limb" refers to the part of the body located above or higher in position than the lower limb, or commonly known as the arm.