US Medical Term · anatomy
Humerus
Húmero
In 9 languages
| Language | Term |
|---|---|
| English | Humerus |
| Spanish (Español) | Húmero |
| Chinese (中文) | 肱骨 |
| Korean (한국어) | 상완골 |
| Vietnamese (Tiếng Việt) | Xương cánh tay |
| Filipino (Tagalog) | Humerus (buto ng itaas na braso) |
| Portuguese (Português) | Úmero |
| Thai (ภาษาไทย) | กระดูกต้นแขน |
| Japanese (日本語) | 上腕骨 |
What it means
The humerus is the long bone in your upper arm, running from your shoulder down to your elbow. At the top, it forms the ball of the ball-and-socket shoulder joint, and at the bottom, it connects with the radius and ulna to form the elbow joint. The humerus allows your arm to move in many directions and provides attachment points for the powerful muscles of your shoulder and upper arm. Fractures of the humerus can occur from falls, direct blows, or throwing injuries. Breaks near the top, called proximal humerus fractures, are especially common in older adults after falls.
How to say it
Sentences a patient might use with a doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or insurer:
The doctor said I fractured my humerus when I fell and landed on my arm.
El médico dijo que me fracturé el húmero cuando me caí y caí sobre el brazo.
I have pain and weakness in my upper arm where the humerus is.
Tengo dolor y debilidad en la parte superior del brazo donde está el húmero.
Will my humerus fracture need surgery, or can it heal on its own?
¿La fractura del húmero necesitará cirugía, o puede sanar sola?
Where you'll see it
Related terms
Sources
Last reviewed: September 2026