Radius

The radius (plural: radii) is one of the two long bones present in the forearm, located laterally in the supinated anatomical position. It has a smaller proximal end and enlarges to a larger distal end (opposite to the ulna). 

Gross anatomy

Osteology

The proximal radius comprises the articular radial head and, immediately distally,  the radial neck and tuberosity.

The radial shaft is thicker than the ulna and becomes thicker distally.  It has a triangular cross section, with a lateral convexity, and a sharp medial (interosseous) border.

The distal radial shaft flares out to form the distal radius with a facet for articulation with most of the proximal carpal row. Laterally, there is the radial styloid and medially the ulnar notch. On the dorsal surface of the distal radius, Lister's tubercle (dorsal tubercle) separates the 2^nd (extensor carpi radialis brevis and extensor carpi radialis longus) and 3^rd (extensor pollicis longus) extensor compartments.

Articulations

• proximal
  • radial head: capitellum of the humerus (elbow flexion and extension)
  • radial head: radial notch of the proximal ulna (site of supination and pronation)
• distal
  • distal radius facet: scaphoid and lunate fossae separated by a small ridge
  • ulnar notch: ulna head (site of supination and pronation)

Attachments

• Musculotendinous
  • radial tuberosity: biceps brachii muscle
  • styloid process (base): brachioradialis muscle
  • medial surface:
    • flexor digitorum superficialis
    • flexor pollicis longus
    • pronator quadratus
  • lateral surface:
    • supinator
    • pronator teres
  • posterior surface:
    • abductor pollicis longus
    • extensor pollicis brevis
• Ligamentous
  • annular ligament: radial head to radial notch of ulna
  • volar/palmar radiocarpal ligament: non-articular volar surface of distal radius to the scaphoid, lunate and triquetrum
  • dorsal radiocarpal ligament: non-articular dorsal surface of the distal radius to the scaphoid, lunate and triquetrum
  • radial collateral ligament of wrist joint: apex of the radial styloid process to the scaphoid and trapezium
  • radial collateral ligament of the elbow joint: anterior aspect of lateral epicondyle of the humerus to the annular ligament and supinator fascia
  • interosseous membrane: forms syndesmotic joint with ulna along the medial border of the radius

Ossification centres

Ossifies from 3 centres:

• body: appears in 8th week of fetal life
• proximal extremity: appears around 5 years of age and fuses with the body around 17-18 years of age
• distal extremity: appears around 9-26 months of life and fuses with the body around 20 years of age

See also:

• ossification centres of the wrist
• ossification centres of the elbow

Variant anatomy

• radioulnar synostosis
• short, hypoplastic or absent radius

Related pathology

• distal radial fracture
  • radial neck fracture
  • Colles fracture
  • Galeazzi fracture-dislocation
• radial head fracture
  • Essex-Lopresti fracture-dislocation
• radial head dislocation
  • Monteggia fracture-dislocation