Back

Facts for Kids

The arm is the upper limb of the body, connecting the shoulder to the elbow, and is made up of bones, muscles, and nerves that enable various movements.

Overview

Nerves Of The Arm

Muscles Of The Arm

Blood Supply To The Arm

Arm Movement And Function

Common Injuries Of The Arm

Arm Disorders And Conditions

Physical Therapy And Rehabilitation

Anatomy Of The Forearm And Upper Arm

Comparative Anatomy Arm In Other Species

main image

Inside this Article

Did you know?

๐ŸŒŸ Each person has two arms: one on the left and one on the right.

๐Ÿ’ช The arm connects to the body at the shoulder and reaches down to the elbow.

๐Ÿฆด The upper arm has one bone called the humerus.

๐ŸŽฎ The forearm has two bones known as the radius and ulna.

๐Ÿ˜„ The biceps muscle helps lift things and gets bigger when you bend your arm.

โšฝ The triceps muscle is located on the back of the upper arm and helps straighten the arm.

๐Ÿง โžก๏ธโœ‹ Nerves like the radial, ulnar, and median nerves help us move our arms and feel touch.

โค๏ธ Blood travels through the brachial artery to supply the arm with nutrients and oxygen.

๐Ÿค• Common arm injuries include sprains, fractures, and tendonitis.

๐ŸŽ‰ Physical therapy helps heal and strengthen the arm after an injury.

Introduction

The arm is an amazing part of our body that helps us do many things! ๐ŸŒŸ

Each of us has two arms, one on the left and one on the right. The arm connects to our body at the shoulder and reaches down to the elbow. The muscles, bones, and nerves work together so we can wave hello, throw a ball, or give a hug! ๐Ÿ˜„

Our upper arm has the humerus bone, which is important for moving. Did you know that a grown-up's arm can reach anywhere from about 24 inches to over 30 inches? Thatโ€™s why arms are super important! ๐Ÿ’ช

Read Less

Nerves Of The Arm

Nerves are like tiny messengers that carry signals from our brain to our arms and fingers. ๐Ÿง โžก๏ธโœ‹ In the arm, the main nerve is called the radial nerve, which helps us move our wrist and fingers. The ulnar nerve is important for finger movement too, especially when weโ€™re holding a pencil or drawing ๐Ÿ–๏ธ! The median nerve helps us feel touch in our fingers. These nerves allow us to play instruments, ride bikes, and do many fun things with our arms! ๐Ÿšด

โ€โ™‚๏ธ Itโ€™s amazing how our nerves help us stay connected to everything we do!
Read Less

Muscles Of The Arm

The arm has special muscles that help it move! ๐Ÿ’ช

The biggest muscle in the upper arm is called the biceps, which helps us lift things. When you bend your arm, the biceps muscle gets bigger! On the back of the upper arm, there's the triceps. It helps straighten the arm. Moving to the forearm, there are muscles that help us grip and pick up things. These muscles work together so we can throw, catch, and play all day long! โšฝ

๏ธ Isnโ€™t it cool how muscles help us do our favorite activities?
Read Less

Blood Supply To The Arm

The arm needs blood to stay strong and healthy! โค

๏ธ๐Ÿ’ช Blood comes from the heart and travels through special tubes called arteries. The main artery for the arm is the brachial artery, which branches into smaller arteries like the radial and ulnar arteries. These arteries carry oxygen-rich blood to the arm and fingers. This blood helps our muscles work better and keeps our skin and tissues healthy! ๐Ÿฉธ

If you ever feel your pulse in your wrist, that's your blood flowing! Always remember, a good supply of blood is super important for your arms!
Read Less

Arm Movement And Function

Our arms can move in many ways thanks to joints, muscles, and tendons! The shoulder joint allows for a wide range of movement, like reaching high and swinging! ๐ŸŒŠ

The elbow works like a hinge, letting us bend and straighten our arms. The wrist has many small bones that help us move our hands and fingers in all directions. ๐Ÿ™Œ

Using our arms, we can wave, dance, and give high-fives! Each movement helps us interact with the world around us, whether sharing a smile or tossing a ball! Our arms are super fun, right? ๐ŸŽˆ

Read Less

Common Injuries Of The Arm

Sometimes, our arms can get hurt while weโ€™re playing! โšฝ

๏ธ๐Ÿค• Common injuries include sprains, which happen when we stretch a ligament too much, and fractures, which is when a bone breaks. Another injury is tendonitis, where the tendons become sore, usually from using them too much. If you ever fall and hurt your arm, it's important to tell an adult and rest it. Keeping the arm safe can help avoid injuries. Remember, you can wear helmets, pads, or even use a seatbelt to protect your arms while playing! ๐Ÿ›ก

๏ธ
Read Less

Arm Disorders And Conditions

Sometimes, people may have problems with their arms, known as disorders. ๐Ÿค•

One is called "carpal tunnel syndrome," which affects the wrist and can cause pain and tingling. Another one is "cubital tunnel syndrome," where the ulnar nerve gets pinched. These conditions can make it hard to move our arms or can cause discomfort. Getting help from a doctor is important if thereโ€™s a problem. ๐Ÿฅ

Early treatment can help people use their arms just like before! Understanding and caring for our arms helps keep them healthy and happy! โœจ

Read Less

Physical Therapy And Rehabilitation

If someone hurts their arm, they might need physical therapy to help them heal and get strong again! ๐Ÿ’ช

๐Ÿฝ๐ŸŒˆ Physical therapists are special helpers who teach exercises to improve strength and movement. They might use fun activities like stretching, using resistance bands, or playing games to make therapy enjoyable. This not only helps heal the arm but also makes it stronger! Physical therapy can take time, but it's super important for returning to sports and activities we love! ๐ŸŽ‰

Always listen to the therapist โ€“ they want you feeling your best!
Read Less

Anatomy Of The Forearm And Upper Arm

The arm has two main parts: the upper arm and the forearm! The upper arm is the section between the shoulder and the elbow. It has one bone called the humerus. The forearm is between the elbow and the wrist and has two bones named the radius and the ulna. ๐Ÿฆด

The radius is on the same side as the thumb, while the ulna is on the opposite side. If you look at your arm, the forearm helps us rotate our wrist so we can turn a doorknob or use our favorite toy! ๐ŸŽฎ

This combination helps our arm perform all sorts of tasks!
Read Less

Comparative Anatomy: Arm In Other Species

Did you know other animals have arms too, but they might look different? ๐Ÿฆ

For example, monkeys have long arms that are perfect for swinging between trees! Their muscles are super strong for climbing! Birds have wings, which are also like arms, but they help them fly high in the sky. ๐Ÿฆ…

Some animals, like octopuses, have tentacles that can grab and explore, while dolphins use their flippers to swim. Each species has special features that match their needs. Itโ€™s cool to see how arms adapt for different activities in nature! ๐ŸŒ

Read Less

Arm Quiz

Q1
Question 1 of 10
Next

Frequently Asked Questions

Is DIY back?!

How do I reactivate my account?

How do I sign up?

Are the android and iOS apps coming back?

What is DIY?

What is a โ€œChallengeโ€ on DIY?

What is a โ€œCourseโ€ on DIY?

What are โ€œSkillsโ€ on DIY?

What if I'm new to all thisโ€”where do I begin?

Do I need special materials or equipment?

Is DIY safe for kids?

Can I collaborate with other DIYers on a project?

How do Mentors, Mods, and Jr. Mods help us?

What is DIY?

What's the recommended age for DIY?