: the bone on the little-finger side of the human forearm
also : a corresponding part of the forelimb of vertebrates above fishes

Examples of ulna in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The radius and ulna in the forearm run parallel, connecting your elbow to your wrist. Maggie Aime, Msn, Health, 6 Dec. 2024 Her injuries were consistent with those found in modern humans who reach their hands out toward the ground to break a fall: greenstick fractures across both forelimb bones, the radius and the ulna. Carly Miller, Forbes, 11 Oct. 2024 Accomplishing even this step proved especially difficult because of the need to precisely align the volunteer’s radius and ulna. Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 12 Oct. 2023 This air breathing fish’s front fins even have an ulna and a radius like our forearms do, and they’re coded by the same set of genes, reports Tessa Koumoundouros for Science Alert. Alex Fox, Smithsonian Magazine, 27 Jan. 2021 See all Example Sentences for ulna 

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Latin, elbow — more at ell

First Known Use

1541, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of ulna was in 1541

Dictionary Entries Near ulna

Cite this Entry

“Ulna.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ulna. Accessed 18 Feb. 2025.

Kids Definition

: the bone on the little-finger side of the human forearm
also : a corresponding part of the forelimb of vertebrates

Medical Definition

: the bone on the little-finger side of the human forearm that forms with the humerus the elbow joint and serves as a pivot in rotation of the hand

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