{"id":3641,"date":"2021-01-08T10:59:30","date_gmt":"2021-01-08T09:59:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/meddists.com\/learn\/pre-clinical\/anatomy\/upper-limb\/arm\/elbow-joint\/"},"modified":"2021-03-25T18:04:30","modified_gmt":"2021-03-25T17:04:30","slug":"elbow-joint","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/meddists.com\/learn\/pre-clinical\/anatomy\/upper-limb\/arm\/elbow-joint\/","title":{"rendered":"Elbow joint"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><div class=\"intro\">The joint that attaches the arm to the forearm is known as the <strong>elbow joint.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The elbow joint is a <strong>complex synovial joint (diarthrosis)<\/strong>, made up of several articulating surfaces between three bones of the upper limb \u2013 the humerus, radius, and ulna.<\/div><\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator\" \/>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/meddists.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/elbow-joint.png\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"Elbow joint\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/meddists.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/elbow-joint-600x481.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-23979\" \/><\/a><figcaption><strong>The elbow joint<\/strong> (Credit: OpenStax, CC BY-SA 4.0)<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<span class=\"block-heading\" id=\"header_1\">\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" class=\"wp-block-heading\" class=\"title_collection title1\">Movement<\/h4>\n<\/span><span class=\"block-content\" id=\"contents_1\">\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The elbow joint is primarily a <strong>hinge joint<\/strong>, allowing <strong>flexion<\/strong> and <strong>extension<\/strong> of the forearm. In addition, it also participates in pronation and supination of the forearm, movements primarily performed more distally by the wrist joint.<\/p>\n\n\n<\/span><span class=\"block-heading\" id=\"header_2\">\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" class=\"wp-block-heading\" class=\"title_collection title1\">Structure<\/h4>\n<\/span><span class=\"block-content\" id=\"contents_2\">\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The elbow joint is formed by three smaller joints, enclosed together by a common synovial cavity:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>The <strong>humeroulnar joint<\/strong> &#8212; formed between the trochlea of the humerus and the trochlear notch of the ulna.<\/li><li>The <strong>humeroradial joint<\/strong> &#8212; formed between the capitulum of the humerus and the head of the radius.<\/li><li>The <strong>proximal radioulnar joint<\/strong> &#8212; formed between the head of the radius and the radial notch of the ulna.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The articular structures of the bones forming the elbow joint are covered by hyaline cartilage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/meddists.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/elbow-joint.png\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"Elbow joint\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"677\" src=\"https:\/\/meddists.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/elbow-joint-1024x677.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-4568\" srcset=\"https:\/\/meddists.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/elbow-joint-1024x677.png 1024w, https:\/\/meddists.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/elbow-joint-300x198.png 300w, https:\/\/meddists.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/elbow-joint-768x508.png 768w, https:\/\/meddists.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/elbow-joint-1536x1016.png 1536w, https:\/\/meddists.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/elbow-joint-2048x1355.png 2048w, https:\/\/meddists.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/elbow-joint.png 1600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><figcaption><strong>Figure 2. Structure of the elbow joint (posterior view of the left elbow)<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n<\/span><span class=\"block-heading\" id=\"header_3\">\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" class=\"wp-block-heading\" class=\"title_collection title1\">The joint capsule<\/h4>\n<\/span><span class=\"block-content\" id=\"contents_3\">\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The elbow joint is surrounded by a joint capsule (sometimes referred to as an&nbsp;<strong>articular capsule<\/strong>)&nbsp;formed by an inner, <strong>synovial membrane<\/strong>, and an outer, <strong>fibrous layer<\/strong>. The synovial membrane produces&nbsp;the <strong>synovial fluid<\/strong> which acts as a lubricant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It originates from the edges of the articular cartilage and lines the following bony structures surrounding the elbow joint:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>The coronoid fossa<\/li><li>The olecranon fossa<\/li><li>The deep surface of the articular capsule<\/li><li>The medial surface of the trochlea<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In addition, a <strong>protrusion of the synovial membrane<\/strong> from the inferior margin of the articular capsule called the <strong>sacciform recess<\/strong> supports the rotation of the head of the radius during pronation and supination.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The fibrous membrane of the joint overlies the synovial membrane and encloses the entire joint. It attaches to the following bony structures:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>The medial epicondyle of the humerus<\/li><li>The margins of the olecranon, coronoid and radial fossae<\/li><li>The coronoid and olecranon processes of the ulna<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The two layers making up the joint capsule, the synovial and fibrous membranes, are separated by <strong>fat pads<\/strong> located over the regions of the olecranon, coronoid and radial fossae. These fat pads serve to accommodate the related bony structures in their sliding movement into their fossae during flexion and extension, and they can be visualized during X-ray.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The brachialis and triceps brachii muscles are attached to the articular capsule at the regions of these fat pads, and they pull them out of the way during movement of the joint to make space for the bony processes.<\/p>\n\n\n<\/span><span class=\"block-heading\" id=\"header_4\">\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" class=\"wp-block-heading\" class=\"title_collection title1\">Ligaments<\/h4>\n<\/span><span class=\"block-content\" id=\"contents_4\">\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The ligaments supporting the elbow joint are strong, fibrous bands that help support movements of the joint. These are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><strong>The radial collateral ligament<\/strong> \u2013 a thickening of the fibrous membrane of the articular capsule. It extends laterally from the lateral epicondyle of the humerus to blend with the annular ligament of the radius.<\/li><li><strong>The ulnar collateral ligament<\/strong> \u2013 also a thickening of the fibrous membrane, extends from the medial epicondyle of the humerus to the coronoid and olecranon processes of the ulna, and actually consists of three bands:<strong> (i) the anterior band, (ii) the posterior band,<\/strong> and<strong> (iii) the oblique band.<\/strong><\/li><li><strong>The annular ligament of the radius<\/strong> \u2013 blends with the radial collateral ligament and the fibrous membrane of the joint capsule, although these are separated posteriorly.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n<\/span><span class=\"block-heading\" id=\"header_5\">\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" class=\"wp-block-heading\" class=\"title_collection title1\">Bursae<\/h4>\n<\/span><span class=\"block-content\" id=\"contents_5\">\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Bursae (pleural <em>bursa<\/em>) are sacs lined by a synovial membrane, filled by synovial fluid. Bursae are located at the surroundings of joints, serving as &#8220;cushioning&#8221; between the joint and the surrounding tendons or muscles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In the elbow joint, there are three important bursae to be familiar with:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>The <strong>intratendinous olecranon bursa<\/strong><\/li><li>The <strong>subtendinous olecranon bursa<\/strong><\/li><li>The <strong>subcutaneous olecranon bursa<\/strong><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n<\/span><span class=\"block-heading\" id=\"header_6\">\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" class=\"wp-block-heading\" class=\"title_collection title1\">Blood supply<\/h4>\n<\/span><span class=\"block-content\" id=\"contents_6\">\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The elbow joint is supplied by anastomoses between the collateral and recurrent branches of the brachial, profunda brachii, radial, and ulnar arteries.<\/p>\n\n\n<\/span><span class=\"block-heading\" id=\"header_7\">\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" class=\"wp-block-heading\" class=\"title_collection title1\">Innervation<\/h4>\n<\/span><span class=\"block-content\" id=\"contents_7\">\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The elbow joint is innervated by branches of the radial, ulnar and musculocutaneous nerves.<\/p>\n\n\n<\/span><span class=\"block-heading\" id=\"header_8\">\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" class=\"wp-block-heading\" class=\"title_collection title1\">Clinical information<\/h4>\n<\/span><span class=\"block-content\" id=\"contents_8\">\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Epicondylitis<\/strong> is an inflammation of the tendons of the flexors (&#8220;golfer&#8217;s elbow&#8221; or lateral epicondylitis) or extensors (&#8220;tennis elbow&#8221; or medial epicondylitis) which describes a painful condition resulting from their overuse (typically during the described sports). <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The pain is felt on the lateral epicondyle and common extensor origin for tennis players, and on the medial epicondyle and common flexor origin for golf players.<\/p>\n<\/span><div id=\"the_titles\" style=\"display:none;\"><h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Movement<\/h4><h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Structure<\/h4><h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">The joint capsule<\/h4><h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Ligaments<\/h4><h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Bursae<\/h4><h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Blood supply<\/h4><h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Innervation<\/h4><h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Clinical information<\/h4><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>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 [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":3466,"menu_order":2,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-3641","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.8 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Elbow joint &#8211; Meddists<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/meddists.com\/learn\/pre-clinical\/anatomy\/upper-limb\/arm\/elbow-joint\/\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"4 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/meddists.com\\\/learn\\\/pre-clinical\\\/anatomy\\\/upper-limb\\\/arm\\\/elbow-joint\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/meddists.com\\\/learn\\\/pre-clinical\\\/anatomy\\\/upper-limb\\\/arm\\\/elbow-joint\\\/\",\"name\":\"Elbow joint &#8211; 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