Skip to content
🐣 10% discount with code: PÅSK2026 🐣
Registered healthcare provider – safe and secure
Wide range of MRI and blood tests

Upper arm

The upper arm is the upper part of the arm between the shoulder and elbow and contains important muscles and nerves that control the movement and strength of the arm.

MRI Upper arm

MRI Upper arm

Magnetic Resonance Imaging

4 495 kr

10% discount on testmottagningen.se with the code: PÅSK2026 Health checks for increased well-being

Go to the campaign Browse healthchecks
Trustpilot

Contents

Quick version

What is the upper arm?

The upper arm is the part of the arm that extends from the shoulder joint to the elbow joint. It consists of a long bone – the humerus – which is surrounded by powerful muscles such as the biceps and triceps. The upper arm acts as an important lever for all movements of the arm and is central to all forms of lifting, pulling and pushing.

Anatomy of the upper arm

The bone in the upper arm is called the humerus and extends from shoulder to elbow . Several muscles surround the bone, including the biceps brachii (front) and triceps brachii (back). Important nerves such as the radial, median, and ulnar nerves pass through the upper arm and can be affected if injured.

Muscles of the upper arm

The biceps is responsible for elbow flexion and supination (turning the palm of the hand upward), while the triceps is responsible for elbow extension. These muscles are active in many everyday and sports-related movements.

Function and biomechanics

The upper arm allows for flexion, extension, and rotation of the forearm . It also acts as a force transmitter from the shoulder to the hand, and its muscles play a crucial role in arm strength and control.

Common conditions and diseases

Pain in the upper arm can be due to muscle strains, tendonitis, nerve compression, or fractures. Overuse injuries from repetitive work or sports are common, especially with unilateral movements.

Examination and diagnosis

When investigating upper arm problems, a clinical examination of mobility, muscle strength and nerve function is performed. Imaging tests such as X-ray, ultrasound or MRI of the upper arm are used when a fracture or soft tissue injury is suspected.

Relevant symptoms

  • Pain in the front or back of the upper arm
  • Weakness when lifting or pressing
  • Tingling or numbness in the arm
  • Bruises or swelling after injury
  • Limited mobility in the shoulder or elbow

Related conditions and diagnoses

  • Biceps rupture
  • Triceps rupture
  • Umbral fracture
  • Muscle rupture
  • Radial nerve damage

Questions and answers

The upper arm runs between the shoulder and elbow, it contains the upper arm bone (humerus) and muscles such as the biceps and triceps.

Pain in the upper arm can be caused by muscle strain, tendonitis, nerve damage, or fracture. Common causes include overuse and heavy strain.

The most important muscles in the upper arm are the biceps brachii on the front and the triceps brachii on the back. These control elbow movements.

Rest, ice, physiotherapy and painkillers are common interventions. The type of treatment depends on the injury. In the case of fractures or ruptures, surgery may be required.

It is okay to exercise if the pain is mild, but in case of severe or persistent pain, exercise should be avoided until the cause is investigated.

This means that the biceps tendon ruptures, often under heavy load. This causes pain, weakness and sometimes a visible lump on the arm.

In case of severe pain, weakness, numbness or suspected fracture, a doctor should be contacted. Sudden pain during exertion often requires investigation.

The extent of the injury is assessed during a physical examination by a doctor. Ultrasound or MRI may be used to view the tendons and muscles.

The radial nerve controls some of the movements of the arm and hand. It can be damaged by fractures or pressure, causing weakness or numbness.

Yes, in older people with osteoporosis, fractures can occur from minor falls or stress. However, in younger people, more severe trauma is often required.

Tests related to Upper arm

Skeleton and Joints

MRI Upper arm

MRI Upper arm

Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Marker Icon 1 marker
Information

Medical comment included

With us, you will always receive a doctor’s opinion from a licensed physician when you order a medical check-up that includes a medical opinion. The doctor’s opinion includes an overall assessment of your results from laboratory analysis. The opinion is individual and may vary depending on the specific tests your medical check-up includes.

What can I expect in the medical report?

The medical opinion will summarize the results of your test results to give you an assessment of your health including any abnormalities outside the reference ranges. In case of abnormalities or need, your doctor may also contact you for a free conversation to explain and talk about your results. Remember that a health check always includes specific test results based on your health and your personal circumstances. Values outside the reference range should therefore always be discussed with a doctor before any decisions regarding possible treatment are made.

What does the doctor look at during a health check?

When assessing a blood test or health check, your doctor will look at several different parameters to evaluate your health and identify any abnormalities. Below are some common aspects your doctor may examine:

Blood counts: Your doctor will check red, white and platelet counts to identify any signs of anaemia, infection or bleeding.

Nutrients and biochemical markers: Includes, for example, analysis and monitoring of blood sugar (glucose) levels, electrolyte levels (e.g. sodium, potassium), liver function tests (e.g. liver enzymes), kidney function tests (e.g. creatinine, urea) and lipid profile (e.g. cholesterol, triglycerides). The results of the tests give your doctor a better idea of your organ function, blood sugar level, cholesterol conditions and other important health aspects.

Inflammatory markers: Your doctor may measure health markers such as C-reactive protein (CRP) or red blood cell decrease rate (SR) to evaluate inflammatory conditions or confirm an active infection.

Hormone levels: Your doctor may monitor your hormone levels to assess hormonal imbalances or diseases, such as thyroid hormones (TSH, T3, T4), sex hormones or other specific hormones such as testosterone levels.

Specific tests: Depending on your goal of your health check or medical history, your doctor may look into specific tests to investigate conditions or diseases, such as diabetes, vitamin deficiency or autoimmune diseases.

In conclusion, the doctor weighs all test results based on the health check to assess your overall health, detect any abnormalities and identify possible underlying medical conditions.

What happens if I have abnormal test results?

If your blood count is abnormal, this will be addressed in your personal medical opinion. Depending on the nature and extent of the abnormality, your doctor may also contact you directly through the test result service for further guidance. Various measures and advice will be provided based on the specific abnormalities observed along with your medical history.

Call included

Call included, one of our doctors will contact you.
  • MRI Upper Arm – examination of muscles, tendons, bone tissue and nerves in the upper arm.
  • Recommended for pain, nerve symptoms, muscle rupture or suspected skeletal changes.
  • Provides detailed images of both soft tissues and bones – without radiation.
  • Safe, painless examination with referral and response from a specialist within a few days.

4 495 kr

Cart

The basket is empty.

Hos oss får du tillgång till Sveriges bredaste utbud av blodprov, hälsokontroller och MR – med läkare som alltid granskar dina provsvar.

Select tests
Sampling fee
Total
Sampling fee?

The sample collection fee is a fixed cost that refers to the visit to the clinic where you submit your sample. The fee is not affected by how many tests you have ordered, but varies depending on the order value:

Free sampling fee

For purchases over 1 000 SEK, the sampling fee is included.