II. Physiology

  1. Elbow is a hinged joint with the ability to pronate and supinate

III. Anatomy: Bones and Ligaments

  1. orthoAnteriorBoneForearm.jpg Also available as a Poster size image. See printing instructions and image restrictions.
  2. orthoPosteriorBoneForearm.jpg Also available as a Poster size image. See printing instructions and image restrictions.
  3. orthoArmElbowProximalUlnaBoneGrayBB212.gif Lewis (1918) Gray's Anatomy 20th ed (in public domain at Yahoo or BartleBy)
  4. orthoArmElbowJointGrayBB329.gif Lewis (1918) Gray's Anatomy 20th ed (in public domain at Yahoo or BartleBy)
  5. orthoArmElbowJointGrayBB330.gif Lewis (1918) Gray's Anatomy 20th ed (in public domain at Yahoo or BartleBy)
  6. orthoArmElbowJointGrayBB331.gif Lewis (1918) Gray's Anatomy 20th ed (in public domain at Yahoo or BartleBy)
  7. orthoArmElbowJointGrayBB332.gif Lewis (1918) Gray's Anatomy 20th ed (in public domain at Yahoo or BartleBy)
  8. orthoArmElbowJointGrayBB333.gif Lewis (1918) Gray's Anatomy 20th ed (in public domain at Yahoo or BartleBy)

IV. Anatomy: Muscles

  1. orthoArmElbowMuscleSupinatorGrayBB420.gif Lewis (1918) Gray's Anatomy 20th ed (in public domain at Yahoo or BartleBy)

V. Anatomy: Landmarks

  1. Landmarks form triangle (Elbow at 90 degrees)
    1. Olecranon
    2. Lateral epicondyle
    3. Medial epicondyle

VI. Anatomy: Bone

  1. Humerus
    1. Widens distally forming lateral and medial epicondyles
  2. Radial Head
    1. Articulates with capitellum (at lateral epicondyle)
    2. Articulates with lateral ulna
    3. Held in position by orbicular ligament
    4. Easily palpable near lateral epicondyle
  3. Ulna
    1. Articulates with Trochlea (at Medial epicondyle)
  4. Epicondyles
    1. Adjacent to humeral condyles
    2. Provides ForearmMuscle insertions
      1. Flexor-pronator Muscles attach to medial epicondyle
      2. Extensor-Supinators attach to lateral epicondyle

VII. Anatomy: Soft tissue

  1. Muscle insertions
    1. Triceps attaches to Olecranon posteriorly
    2. Biceps and brachialis attach to radius and ulna
    3. Pronators and Supinators Mnemonic
      1. MFP: medial (epicondyle) flexors and pronators
      2. LES: lateral (epicondyle) extensors and supinators
  2. Collateral Ligaments
    1. Medial and Lateral collateral ligaments add stability

VIII. Anatomy: Nerves

  1. Median Nerve
    1. Deep in antecubital fossa
    2. Medial to biceps
  2. Radial Nerve
    1. Lateral to biceps and brachialis Muscles
  3. Ulnar Nerve
    1. Posterior to medial epicondyle
    2. In groove between medial epicondyle and Olecranon
    3. Superficial, and vulnerable to injury

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Related Studies

Ontology: Elbow (C0013769)

Definition (CSP) hinge joint between the forearm and upper arm and the corresponding joint in the forelimb.
Concepts Body Location or Region (T029)
MSH D004550
SnomedCT 127949000
HL7 ELBOW
LNC LP7196-1, MTHU002674, LA16717-3
English Elbow, Elbows, Cubitus, Cubital region, elbow, Elbow region, Elbow region structure, Elbow region structure (body structure), Elbow (Anatomy)
Spanish codo, Cúbito (Codo), estructura de la región del codo (estructura corporal), estructura de la región del codo, región del codo, Codo
Swedish Armbåge
Czech loket
Finnish Kyynärpää
Russian LOKOT', ЛОКОТЬ
Croatian LAKAT
Latvian Elkonis
Polish Łokieć, Okolica łokciowa, Łokcie
Norwegian Albue
Portuguese Cúbito (Cotovelo), Cotovelo
French Coude
German Ellbogen
Italian Gomito
Dutch Elleboog

Ontology: Elbow Injuries and Disorders (C1456829)

Definition (MEDLINEPLUS)

Your elbow joint is made up of bone, cartilage, ligaments and fluid. Muscles and tendons help the elbow joint move. When any of these structures is hurt or diseased, you have elbow problems.

Many things can make your elbow hurt. A common cause is tendinitis, an inflammation or injury to the tendons that attach muscle to bone. Tendinitis of the elbow is a sports injury, often from playing tennis or golf. You may also get tendinitis from overuse of the elbow.

Other causes of elbow pain include sprains, strains, fractures, dislocations, bursitis and arthritis. Treatment depends on the cause.

Concepts Injury or Poisoning (T037)
English Elbow Injuries and Disorders