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The interactive dog atlas · Skeleton · Forelimb

Humerus humerus

The humerus is the bone of the upper arm, from the shoulder to the elbow. At the top it connects to the shoulder blade, at the bottom to the two bones of the forearm.

Open in the interactive atlas Guide: Skeleton Worksheet

Educational material, not a diagnostic tool. Written by the Mantrailing România team from veterinary sources we read. Updated 14.11.2026.

Dog in left lateral view — exterior, muscles, skeleton and organs Vector study after the Ellenberger, Baum and Dittrich plates: a standing dog, head to the left, deep chest and digitigrade limbs. The four layers use the same contour: exterior with body regions, superficial muscles, skeleton and organs.
  1. Humerus
  2. Scapula (shoulder blade)
  3. Radius
  4. Ulna
Humerus on the atlas drawing, "Skeleton" layer, with the neighbouring structures. Left lateral view, after the Ellenberger, Baum and Dittrich plates.

Where it is

The bone of the upper arm, from the shoulder to the elbow.

System
Forelimb
Region
Forelimb

What it is and what it does

The humerus is the bone of the upper arm. Its round head articulates with the scapula at the shoulder, and its lower end with the radius and ulna at the elbow. In the standing dog it slopes backward, which is why the elbow comes under the thorax, not under the shoulder. It is one of the strongest bones of the forelimb.

Worth remembering

In the standing dog it slopes backward, which is why the elbow comes under the chest, not under the shoulder.

Names

  • Also called: upper arm bone.
  • Latin term: humerus.
  • In Romanian: Humerusul (Romanian page).

Guides it appears in

From the same region: Forelimb

All structures, in the atlas · Flashcards: skeleton