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Ulna — Anatomy Notes, Diagram & Quiz
The Ulna is located in the forearm (medial). Forearm bone on pinky side, forms elbow joint. Ulna is the medial bone of the forearm, articulating with the humerus at the elbow and with the radius along its length.
Key facts
| Location | Forearm (medial) |
|---|---|
| Main function | Forearm bone on pinky side, forms elbow joint. |
| Layer | skeleton |
| Key fact 1 | Ulna is the medial bone of the forearm, articulating with the humerus at the elbow and with the radius along its length. |
| Key fact 2 | Ulna has a prominent olecranon process that forms the point of the elbow and fits into the olecranon fossa of the humerus. |
| Key fact 3 | Ulna is longer than the radius and does not directly articulate with the carpal bones, being separated by an articular disc. |
Where is the Ulna located?
The Ulna is located in the forearm (medial).
Ulna is the medial bone of the forearm, articulating with the humerus at the elbow and with the radius along its length.
What does the Ulna do?
Forearm bone on pinky side, forms elbow joint.
Ulna has a prominent olecranon process that forms the point of the elbow and fits into the olecranon fossa of the humerus.
What to know for exams
- Ulna is the medial bone of the forearm, articulating with the humerus at the elbow and with the radius along its length.
- Ulna has a prominent olecranon process that forms the point of the elbow and fits into the olecranon fossa of the humerus.
- Ulna is longer than the radius and does not directly articulate with the carpal bones, being separated by an articular disc.
It belongs to the skeleton layer. Learn its location, relations, and the structures it works with.
Clinical relevance
Ulna is longer than the radius and does not directly articulate with the carpal bones, being separated by an articular disc.
Link the ulna to its blood supply, innervation and relations. That is how exam questions usually test it.
Memory aid: Ulna
Ulna is the medial bone of the forearm, articulating with the humerus at the elbow and with the radius along its length. Ulna has a prominent olecranon process that forms the point of the elbow and fits into the olecranon fossa of the humerus. Ulna is longer than the radius and does not directly articulate with the carpal bones, being separated by an articular disc.
Chain it as location → function → clinical link when you revise.
Ulna anatomy quiz
Five questions. Open each answer after you commit to a response.
-
Where is the Ulna located?
Reveal answer
Forearm (medial)
-
What is the main function of the Ulna?
Reveal answer
Forearm bone on pinky side, forms elbow joint.
-
Give one key fact about the Ulna.
Reveal answer
Ulna is the medial bone of the forearm, articulating with the humerus at the elbow and with the radius along its length.
-
Give another key fact about the Ulna.
Reveal answer
Ulna has a prominent olecranon process that forms the point of the elbow and fits into the olecranon fossa of the humerus.
-
What clinical link is associated with the Ulna?
Reveal answer
Ulna is longer than the radius and does not directly articulate with the carpal bones, being separated by an articular disc.
Common questions
Where is the Ulna located?
The Ulna is located in the forearm (medial). Ulna is the medial bone of the forearm, articulating with the humerus at the elbow and with the radius along its length.
What does the Ulna do?
Forearm bone on pinky side, forms elbow joint. Ulna has a prominent olecranon process that forms the point of the elbow and fits into the olecranon fossa of the humerus.
What is a key fact about the Ulna?
Ulna is longer than the radius and does not directly articulate with the carpal bones, being separated by an articular disc.
What layer does the Ulna belong to?
It belongs to the skeleton layer of the body.
What should I remember for exams?
Ulna is the medial bone of the forearm, articulating with the humerus at the elbow and with the radius along its length. Ulna has a prominent olecranon process that forms the point of the elbow and fits into the olecranon fossa of the humerus. Ulna is longer than the radius and does not directly articulate with the carpal bones, being separated by an articular disc.
Sources
- Standring, S. (ed.). Gray’s Anatomy, 42nd edition. Elsevier, 2020.
- TeachMeAnatomy — anatomy library
- Kenhub — anatomy library
- StatPearls / NCBI Bookshelf — Ulna search
3D atlas and image credits
Anatomy models: BodyParts3D, © Database Center for Life Science (DBCLS), CC BY-SA 2.1 Japan. Écorché by Charleeh, derived from BodyParts3D and Z-Anatomy, CC BY-SA 4.0. Rendered in anotemy. Changes: highlighting, framing, labels and background removal. Images: CC BY-SA 4.0.
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