forelimb
Wing or flipper
A forelimb is a front leg, arm, wing, or flipper—any limb attached to the forward part of an animal's body.
The term appears in biological and veterinary contexts: The horse injured its right forelimb.
In evolutionary biology, forelimbs illustrate how homologous structures adapt across species—a bat's wing and a whale's flipper are both modified forelimbs.
Upper arm's long bone
- radiusCenter-to-perimeter distance
- ulnaInner forearm bone
- scapulaPosterior thoracic bone
- clavicleHorizontal bone above ribs
carpal · metacarpal · phalanges · elbow · shoulder · joint · bone · articulation
Adapted for grasping
- gripSecure manual hold
- graspSeize or understand
- clutchMechanism linking engine to gearbox
- dexteritySkillful hand coordination
opposable · pincer · claw · talon · hoof · paw · manipulate · reach
Limb enabling flight
- flipperMarine animal's swimming limb
- finAquatic propulsion appendage
- paddleFlat-bladed water tool
- pinnipedFlippered marine mammal group
cetacean · bat · pterosaur · penguin · seal · whale · dolphin · flying
Swiftest quadruped gait
- trotPace between walk, canter
- canterModerate equine gait
- strideExtended single footstep
- boundSecured or destined
leap · gait · quadruped · biped · knuckle-walking · brachiation · crawl · propulsion
Upper arm flexors
- tricepsThree-headed arm muscle
- deltoidShoulder's main muscle
- flexorMuscle that bends joints
- extensorJoint-opening muscle
tendon · ligament · muscle · pronation · supination · brachialis · rotator cuff · pectoralis
humerus
Upper arm's long bone
clavicle · carpal · metacarpal · phalanges · elbow · shoulder · joint · bone · articulation · brachium
prehensile
Adapted for grasping
dexterity · opposable · pincer · claw · talon · hoof · paw · manipulate · reach · grab
wing
Limb enabling flight
pinniped · cetacean · bat · pterosaur · penguin · seal · whale · dolphin · flying · swimming
gallop
Swiftest quadruped gait
bound · leap · gait · quadruped · biped · knuckle-walking · brachiation · crawl · propulsion · weight-bearing
biceps
Upper arm flexors
extensor · tendon · ligament · muscle · pronation · supination · brachialis · rotator cuff · pectoralis · trapezius