The surgical neck of the humerus is so called because it is the area of the neck where fractures occur, rather than the anatomical neck. A fracture in this area may cause damage to the axillary nerve.
Complex humeral neck fracture
The surgical neck fracture has resulted in complete separation of the fragments, with a greater tuberosity fracture. Not surprisingly the associated axillary nerve injury did not recover despite early surgery.
Giant cell tumour
Pathological fractures are fairly common at this site. This x-ray shows a likely giant cell tumour in an eight-year-old.
Bony metastasis
Here is a likely bony metastasis in a 65-year-old who sustained this fracture pulling on his socks.
Click on the x-ray to enlarge.