The ElbowAnatomy

Joint Complex• Radio-ulnar – synovial pivot joint• Humero-ulnar – synovial modified hinge• Humero-radial – synovial modified hinge

• Movements – flexion, extension, pronation and supination

• Carrying angle in extension

• Capsular Pattern –More loss of flexion than extension

Bones• Humerus –trochlea

medially and capitulum laterally

• Radius – radial head, radial tuberosity

• Ulna – coronoid process, olecranon process

Ligaments• Collateral Ligaments –

resist varus and valgus strain

• MCL – med epicondyle to coronoid and olecranon process of ulna

• LCL – lat epicondyle to annular lig

• Annular Ligament – joins radius and ulna, stabilises radial head

• Complex capsule – lax , all 3 joints, blends with annular lig and reinforced by MCL and LCL

Musculature• Brachioradialis – elbow flexor in

mid pron• Inserts a long way distal to the joint it acts upon• Compresses elbow joint

• Biceps – elbow flex and powerful sup from mid pron

• Brachialis – most powerful elb flexor

• Triceps – elbow ext

• Anconeus – elbow ext and stabilises joint

Musculature – attached to common flexor origin

• Pronator Teres• Flexor Carpi Radialis• Palmaris Longus• Flexor digitorum sup• Flexor carpi ulnaris

Musculature - attached to the common extensor origin

• Ext Carpi Ulnaris• Ext dig minimi• Ext digitorum• Ext carpi radialis brev• Supinator

• Ext carpi rad longus

* does not attach

Bursa

• Biceps Bursa

• Olecranon Bursa

• Dermatomes C5/6 front of elbow

• C7 back of elbow

• Muscles C5 biceps and brachialis

• C6 Pronator teres and supinator

• C7 Triceps

Neurology

Nerves• Median nerve

– medial to biceps tendon

• Ulnar Nerve

– behind medial epicondyle

• Radial nerve +

post interosseous nerve

– lateral to the biceps

Surface markings

• Extensor carpi radialis longus origin

• Radio-humeral joint line

• Common extensor tendon

• Common flexor tendon

• The insertion of biceps