Elbow Flashcards
How many degrees of freedom does the Elbow have and how many joints?
1 degree of freedom with 1 hinge diarthrosis joint.
Physiologically what are the function
Flexion-extension:involving the true elbow
Pronation-Supination (axial rotation): involving the superior radio-ulnar joint
Joint Structure:
number of articular surfaces
2
The Trochleae
The Capitulum
The Trochleae
pulley-shaped with a central groove lying in a sagittal plane and bounded by two convex lips.
The Capitulum
a spherical surface lying lateral to the trochlea.
not a complete sphere but a hemisphere
Immediately above the articular surfaces two concavities are present
Anteriorly, the coronoid fossa, which receives the coronoid process of the ulna during flexion.
Posteriorly, the olecranon fossa which receives the olecranon process during extension position.
Purpose of the concavities Immediately above the articular surfaces
increase the range of flexion and extension at the elbow by delaying the moment of impact of the coronoid and olecranon processes on the shaft of the humerus.
They also allow the trochlear notch of the ulna, which has a range of movement of 180°, to glide over the trochlear for an appreciable distance on either side of the neutral position.
The proximal ends of the two bones of the forearm
Two surfaces corresponding to those of the humerus
- The cupped proximal surface of the head of the radius
* The trochlear notch of the ulna
The cupped proximal surface of the head of the radius:
- Concavity corresponding to the convexity of the capitulum humeri
- It is bounded by a rim which articulates with the capitulo-trochlear groove.
The trochlear notch of the ulna:
- It articulates with the trochlea and has the corresponding shape.
- It consists of a longitudinal rounded ridge extending from the olecranon process superiorly, to the coronoid process anteriorly and inferiorly.
- On either side of this ridge, which corresponds to the trochlear groove, is a concave surface corresponding to the lips of the trochlea.
- The articular surface is shaped like one unit of a corrugated iron sheet, formed by a ridge and two gutters.
The articular relations of the head of the radius in extreme positions:
• In full extension only the anterior half of the proximal surface of the radial head articulates with the
capitulum.
• In full flexion the rim of the radial head reaches beyond the capitulum and enters the radial fossa, which is much less deep than the coronoid fossa.
The distal end of the humerus
It bulges anteriorly at an angle of 45° to the shaft so that the trochlea lies in front of the axis of the shaft.
The proximal end of the ulna
The trochlear notch of the ulna projects anteriorly and superiorly at an angle of 45° to the ulnar shaft and so lies in front of the axis of the ulna.
Basic Tendon & Ligaments
There are both lateral and medial ligaments. The function of these ligaments is to keep the articular surfaces in apposition. They act as two stays located on either side of the joint.
The medial ligament consists of three parts
- The anterior fibres, some of which strengthen the annular ligament.
- The intermediate fibres, being the most powerful.
- The posterior fibres or the ligament of Bardinet, strengthened by the transverse fibres of Cooper’s liga-ment.