ABSTRACT
Fractures of the proximal humerus account for up to 45% of all humeral fractures. The proximal humerus comprises four main osseous segments, namely the humeral head, the lesser tuberosity, the greater tuberosity and the humeral shaft. The humeral head is connected to the shaft through the anatomical neck. Fractures of the anatomical neck are uncommon, but they have a poor prognosis because of the interference with the vascular supply to the humeral head. The surgical neck of the humerus distal to the tuberosities is a common site for fractures. The blood supply to the proximal humerus depends on the anterior and posterior circumflex humeral vessels and through the muscular attachments of the tuberosities.
