ulna

Everyday

1. The ulna is one of the two long bones in the forearm, between the elbow and the wrist; it is on the little-finger side. tree →
2. The other forearm bone is the radius, on the thumb side. tree →

In the lessons

In science lessons the ulna is part of the skeleton; the bony tip of your elbow is the top of the ulna. The ulna and radius twist around each other when you turn your hand over. In first aid, a broken forearm may mean a fractured ulna or radius. Phrases: radius and ulna, broken ulna.

Examples

• The ulna runs from your elbow to your wrist. tree →
• Feel the bony point of your elbow; that's the end of your ulna. tree →
• She broke her ulna falling off her scooter. tree →
• The ulna is on the same side as your little finger. tree →
• The radius and the ulna let you turn your palm up and down. tree →
• Birds have an ulna in their wings too. tree →
• The X-ray showed a crack in the ulna. tree →

Note

Use «an ulna» (it starts with a vowel sound). Plural ulnae (Latin) or ulnas. The «funny bone» is not a bone: it is a nerve near the end of the ulna and humerus that tingles when bumped.