In a shoulder girdle radiograph, which anatomy is labeled D?

• A. Surgical neck
• B. Lesser tubercle
• C. Scapula
• D. Greater tubercle

Answer: (B)

The main idea is recognizing the proximal humerus landmarks on a shoulder radiograph. The proximal humerus has two tubercles: the greater tubercle on the lateral, outer side, and the lesser tubercle on the anterior aspect between the head and the shaft, near the intertubercular groove. The label points to a small anterior bump, which is the lesser tubercle. This is why this option is the best choice. The surgical neck is a constricted area just below the head, the scapula is a much larger bone forming the shoulder blade, and the greater tubercle would appear on the lateral side rather than the anterior position shown.