humerus

Everyday

The humerus is the long bone in the top part of your arm, between your shoulder and your elbow. tree →

In the lessons

In science lessons about the skeleton, children label the humerus, radius and ulna in the arm. The «funny bone» is not a bone at all but a nerve near the elbow end of the humerus — a pun on «humorous».

Examples

• The humerus is the bone in your upper arm. tree →
• She broke her humerus falling off the swing. tree →
• Label the humerus on the skeleton diagram. tree →
• The humerus joins the shoulder at the top. tree →
• Below the elbow are the radius and ulna, not the humerus. tree →
• Your «funny bone» is a nerve near the humerus. tree →

Note

Plural: humeri (rare). Sounds exactly like «humorous» (funny) — a homophone and a famous joke: «Why is the arm bone funny? Because it's the humerus!»