The joint that attaches the arm to the forearm is known as the elbow joint.

The elbow joint is a complex synovial joint (diarthrosis), made up of several articulating surfaces between three bones of the upper limb – the humerus, radius, and ulna.

The elbow joint (Credit: OpenStax, CC BY-SA 4.0)

Movement

The elbow joint is primarily a hinge joint, allowing flexion and extension of the forearm. In addition, it also participates in pronation and supination of the forearm, movements primarily performed more distally by the wrist joint.

Structure

The elbow joint is formed by three smaller joints, enclosed together by a common synovial cavity:

  • The humeroulnar joint -- formed between the trochlea of the humerus and the trochlear notch of the ulna.
  • The humeroradial joint -- formed between the capitulum of the humerus and the head of the radius.
  • The proximal radioulnar joint -- formed between the head of the radius and the radial notch of the ulna.

The articular structures of the bones forming the elbow joint are covered by hyaline cartilage.

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