After completing “The Elbow Joint” section, you will be able:
- To describe the 3 bones
- To explain the 3 joints
- To summarise the 3 ligaments
- To identify the 2 tendons and explain their origin and attachment
- To validate knowledge by completing the quiz
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3 BONES
The elbow joint is made from 3 bones:
- Radius: lateral bone of the forearm
- Ulna: medial bone of the forearm. Posterior aspect of ulna = olecranon, otherwise known as the characteristic “elbow” part
- Humerus: superior to the radius and ulna
3 JOINTS
Three articulations involved with the elbow joint:
1. Humeroulnar joint (hinge)
- Hinge joint between the humerus and the ulna
2. Humeroradial joint (limited ball + socket)
- Limited ball and socket joint between the humerus and the radius
3. Proximal radioulnar joint
- Synovial pivot joint between the radius and the ulna
3 LIGAMENTS (REMEMBER: LIGAMENTS = BONE → BONE)
There are 3 main ligaments of the elbow joint:
1. Radial collateral ligament:
- Lateral epicondyle of the humerus → radius
2. Ulnar collateral ligament:
- Medial epicondyle of the humerus → ulnar
3. Annular collateral ligament:
- Radial notch of the humerus → radial head
2 TENDONS (REMEMBER: TENDONS = MUSCLE → BONE)
1. Common extensor tendon:
- Connects extensor muscles of the forearm → lateral epicondyle
2. Common flexor tendon:
- Connects flexor muscles of the forearm → medial epicondyle
References
Moore K, Dalley A, Agur A. (2014). Clinically Oriented Anatomy. 7th ed. Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer.
Teach Me Anatomy. (2017). The Elbow Joint. [online]. Available at: http://teachmeanatomy.info/upper-limb/joints/elbow-joint/ [accessed 1 March 2017].
Image References
Bones of The Elbow Joint. Humerus. Radius. Ulna. Elbow Joints. Elbow ligaments. Elbow tendons.
