Elbow Joint Notes

Elbow Joint  Classification

1. Structural: AB’S

2. Axis: Uniaxial. Since the axis is horizontal, it is a hinge variety.

3. The number of bones is 3, it is a compound variety of synovial joints.

4. Functional: It is freely movable, therefore, it is diarthrosis.

5. Cubital articulation: Consists of three joints.

Read And Learn More: Anatomy Notes And Important Question And Answers

Bones forming the elbow joint

Elbow Joint Ligaments

1. Fibrous capsule:

It is attached to the peripheral margin of the articular surface of the humerus, radius, and ulna.

1. It is thick medially, thick laterally, thin anteriorly, and thin posteriorly.
2. Excludes medial and lateral epicondyles.
3. Includes three fossae: Coronoid, radial, and olecranon.
4. Merges with the annular ligament of the superior radioulnar joint.

2. Synovial membrane – lines the inner surface of the capsule

3. { Anterior and
Posterior ligaments} – formed by the thickening of the capsule of the elbow joint and are thin.

4. Ulnar collateral ligament is    lar in shape.

It extends superiorly from the lower part of the medial epicondyle. Inferiorly it is divided into three bands

1. The anterior band is attached to the medial margin of the coronoid process.
2. An inferior band is attached between the olecranon and the coronoid process.
3. The posterior band is attached to the medial margin of the olecranon process.

5. Radial collateral ligament: It extends from the lateral epicondyle of the humerus to the annular ligament.

 

Elbow Joint Anatomy

Elbow Joint Movements

Movements and the muscles bringing the movements

Elbow Joint  Relations

1. Anteriorly

1. { Brachialis,
2. Tendon of biceps,
3. Median nerve,
4. The brachial artery, } – Structures are contents of the cubital fossa

2. Posterior: Triceps, anconeus.

3. Medially

1. Ulnar nerve,
2. Flexor carpi ulnaris, and
3. Common flexors of the forearm.

4. Laterally

1. Supinator,
2. Extensor carpi radialis brevis muscle,
3. Common extensors, and
4. Brachioradialis muscle

Elbow Joint  Blood supply

1. { Superior ulnar collateral artery
2. Inferior ulnar collateral artery } – Branches of brachial artery
3.  { Anterior descending artery
4. Posterior descending artery } – Branches of profunda brachii artery
5. Radial recurrent artery, a branch of the radial artery
6. Interosseous recurrent artery, a branch of the common interosseous artery
7. { Anterior ulnar recurrent artery
8. Posterior ulnar recurrent artery } – Branches of ulnar artery

Elbow Joint  Nerve supply

1. Musculocutaneous nerve,
2. Radial nerve,
3. The median nerve, and
4. Ulnar nerve.

Elbow Joint Anatomy

Elbow Joint  Applied Anatomy

1. Supracondylar fractures result in Volkmann’s ischaemic contracture which is due to injury to the brachial artery.

2. Usually the elbow joint dislocates posteriorly. It is associated with the fracture of the coronoid process.

3. Effusion of the joint occurs posteriorly because the capsule is weak posteriorly.

4. Tennis elbow: Pain and tenderness over the lateral epicondyle is due to

1. Sprain of radial collateral ligament.
2. Tearing of the fibers of extensor carpi radialis brevis.
3. Inflammation of the bursa over the extensor carpi radialis brevis.