5 Elbow joint + cubital fossa

Question 1

How many articulations does elbow joint invovle ?

Answer 1

3 separate articulation

Question 2

Which joints are primarily involved with hinge-like flexion and extension of the forearm on the arm ?

Answer 2

• joints between the trochlear notch of the ulna and the trochlea of the humerus
• and between the head of the radius and the capitulum of the humerus

Question 3

Which joint is involved with pronation and supination of the forearm ?

Answer 3

joint between head of radius and radial notch of the ulna (proximal radio-ulnar joint)

Question 4

what are the 3 articulations of the elbow joint ?

Answer 4

• humero-ulnar joint
• humero-radial joint
• proximal radio-ulnar joint

Question 5

where’s the humero-ulnar joint between?

Answer 5

trochlea of humerus and trochlear notch of ulna or elbow proper

Question 6

where’s humero-radial joint between ?

Answer 6

capitulum of humerus and radial head

Question 7

where’s proximal radio-ulnar joint between ?

Answer 7

edge of head of radius and the radial notch of the ulna

Question 8

What’s the most important ligamnet of the elbow ?

Answer 8

annular ligament

Question 9

What are the major flexors of the elbow proper ?

Answer 9

• brachialis
• biceps brachii
• brachioradialis

Question 10

What are the bursae of the elbow which are of major importance ?

Answer 10

• olecranon bursa
• subtendinous bursa

Question 11

where does olecranon bursa lie ?

Answer 11

in subcutaneous connective tissue overlying the olectranon posteriorly

Question 12

Repeated pressure to the area where the olecranon bursa lies can produce what ?

Answer 12

inflammation

medical student’s elbow or miner’s elbow

Question 13

Where does the subtendinous bursa between lie ?

Answer 13

triceps tendon and the olecranon

Question 14

when can subtendinous bursa become inflammed ? when can it occur ?

Answer 14

due to friction such as can occur in occupations when there is repetitive work e.g. some assembly line jobs

Question 15

In which persons would a bursa between the biceps tendon and the radius become inflamed ?

Answer 15

those who make repeated pronation / supination movements

Question 16

Injuried to the elbow joint complex are not uncommon particularly in who ?

Answer 16

children

Question 17

when can avulsion of the medial epicondyle occur ?

Answer 17

after a fall which is caused by severe abduction of the fully extended forearm

Question 18

What is mechanism of injury of avulsion of the medial epicondyle ?

Answer 18

traction on the ulnar collateral liagament pulls the medial epicondyle medially

Question 19

1. what may cause a posterior dislocation ?
2. particulary in who ?

Answer 19

1. a fall on the outstretched hand
2. teenagers and young adults

Question 20

why does a fall on the outstretched hand cause a posterior dislocation particularly in teenagers and young adults ?

Answer 20

bone stronger than ligament so doesn’t fracture but ligaments rupture and the elbow dislocates

Question 21

What fracture is more likely associated with a fall in children and in the elderly and why ?

Answer 21

supracondylar fracture, because boens are weaker

Question 22

Which nerve is vulnerable to damage with injury, fracture or dislocation of the elbow and why ?

Answer 22

ulnar nerve

close proximity to the lower end of the humerus

Question 23

Cubital fossa:
1. lateral border
2. medial border
3. superior border
4. roof
5. floor

Answer 23

1. medial border of the brachioradialis muscle
2. lateral boer of the pronator teres muscle
3. horizontal line drawn between the epicondyles of the humerus
4. bicipital aponeurosis, fascia, subcutaneous fat and skin
5. brachialis (proximally) and supinator (distally)

Question 24

what is the cubital fossa a passageway for ?

Answer 24

structures to pass between the upper arm and forearm

Question 25

Where does radial nerve travel in relation to cubital fossa ?

Answer 25

along the lateral border of the cubital fossa

and divides into superficial and deep branches.

Question 26

Where does biceps tendon travel in relation to cubital fossa ?

Answer 26

centrally through the cubital fossa and attaches to the radial tuberosity

Question 27

what does biceps tendon give rise to ? what does this contribute to ?

Answer 27

bicipital aponeurosis

roof of cubital fossa

Question 28

Where does brachial artery travel in relation to cubital fossa ?

Answer 28

bifurcates into the radial and ulnar arteries at the apex of the cubital fossa

Question 29

where can brachial pulse be felt ?

Answer 29

in cubital fossa by palpating medial to the biceps tendon

Question 30

Where does median nerve travel in relation to cubital fossa ?

Answer 30

medially through the cubital fossa, exiting by passing between the two heads of the pronator teres

Question 31

Contents of cubital fossa medial to lateral

Answer 31

• median nerve
• brachial artery
• tendon of biceps
• radial nerve

Question 32

contents of cubital fossa lateral to medial

Answer 32

• radial nerve
• biceps tendon
• brachial artery
• median nerve

Question 33

What does the roof of the cubital fossa contain ?

Answer 33

several superficial veins

Question 34

what is common site for venepuncture in the upper limb ?

Answer 34

median cubital vein

Question 35

where is the median cubital vein and what does it connect ?

Answer 35

connects basilic and cephalic veins , part of the superficial veins in the roof of the cubital fossa