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The interactive dog atlas · Skeleton · Forelimb

Radius radius

The radius is the front bone of the forearm, from the elbow to the wrist. It carries most of the weight that passes through 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. Radius
  2. Ulna
  3. Humerus
  4. Carpal bones
Radius on the atlas drawing, "Skeleton" layer, with the neighbouring structures. Left lateral view, after the Ellenberger, Baum and Dittrich plates.

Where it is

The front bone of the forearm, from the elbow to the carpus.

System
Forelimb
Region
Forelimb

What it is and what it does

The radius is the front bone of the forearm and the one that carries most of the weight between the elbow and the carpus. It articulates with the humerus above and with the carpal bones below. Together with the ulna it forms a pair of bones lying side by side, with little rotation between them.

Worth remembering

It lies alongside the ulna; the two bones rotate slightly relative to each other.

Names

  • Also called: radial bone.
  • Latin term: radius.
  • In Romanian: Radiusul (Romanian page).

Guides it appears in

From the same region: Forelimb

All structures, in the atlas · Flashcards: skeleton