elbow anatomy

Question 1

what are the three joints at the elbow

Answer 1

• Ulnohumeral
• Radiocapitellar
• Proximal Radioulnar

Question 2

what are the characterisitics of the ulnohumeral joint

Answer 2

•Articulation between ulna and 
humerus
•True hinge joint
•Flexion/Extension
•Very stable joint

Question 3

what are the characterisitics of the proximal radioulnar joint

Answer 3

Articulation between radial
head of radius and radial notch of ulna
•Pivot joint
•Pronation/ Supination

Question 4

explain the joint capsule in the elbow

Answer 4

• One thin capsule surrounds all three joints
• Synovial membrane lines the capsule
• Capsule is lax in flexion and taut in extension

Question 5

what are the three bundles apart of the UCL

Answer 5

• Anterior bundle
• Posterior bundle
• Oblique bundle

Question 6

does the UCL resist valgus or varus force

Answer 6

valgus

Question 7

does the RCL resist varus or valgus force

Answer 7

varus

Question 8

what is the RCL for

Answer 8

•Accessory ligament
•Stabilizes articulation between
radial head and ulna

Question 9

what are the contents of the cubital fossa

Answer 9

• Radial nerve
• median nerve
• brachial artery
• posterior interosseous nerve
• ulnar artery
• radial artery

Question 10

where is the bursa located

Answer 10

•Located between skin and

olecranon process

Question 11

true or false

the olecranon bursa is the most common site in the body

Answer 11

true

Question 12

what does the raduis articulate with

Answer 12

• Ulna
• Proximal row of
carpal bones

Question 13

true or false

the ulna articulates with the carpal bones

Answer 13

false

Question 14

where does the sesamoid bones lie in the hand

Answer 14

Typically lie in the

opponens pollicus muscle

Question 15

what is the thenar eminence and what muscles make it up

Answer 15

Muscle mass on 
radial side of palm
• Adductor pollicus 
brevis
• Flexor pollicus brevis 
• Opponens pollicus

Question 16

what is the hypothenar eminence and what muscles make it up

Answer 16

Muscle mass on 
ulnar side of palm
• Adductor digiti minimi 
• Flexor digiti minimi 
• Opponens digiti 
minimi

Question 17

which nerve runs through the tunnel of guyon

Answer 17

ulnar

Question 18

what are the bony and soft tissue borders of the tunnel of guyon

Answer 18

Bony borders
• Hook of hamate
• Pisiform bone

Soft tissue borders
• Pisohamate ligament
• Flexor retinaculum

Question 19

what are the borders of the snuffbox

Answer 19

• EPB tendon
• Abd PL tendon
• EPL tendon

Question 20

what does the roof of the carpal tunnel compose

Answer 20

• Transverse carpal

ligament (flexor retinaculum)

Question 21

whats the name of the sturcture that holds the bones together in the forearm

Answer 21

interosseous membrane

Question 22

When talking about the distal radioulnar joint what does the head of the ulna articulate with

Answer 22

ulnar notch of radius

Question 23

when talking about the radiocarpal joint what does the radius articulate with

Answer 23

proxmial caprals
• Scaphoid
• Lunate
• Triquetrum (slight)

Question 24

what motion does the distal radioulnar joint allow

Answer 24

pronation/supination

Question 25

what motion does the radiocarpal joint allow

Answer 25

• Flexion/extension
• Radial/ulnar deviation
• Circumduction

Question 26

what motion does the midcarpal joints allow

Answer 26

gliding motions

Question 27

what are the charactertics of the 1st MCP joint

Answer 27

• Extreme mobility
• Flexion/extension
• Abduction/adduction
• Opposition/reposition

Question 28

what are the charactertics of the 2nd-5th MCP joint

Answer 28

• Flexion/extension
• Abduction/adduction
• Opposition/reposition
5th MCP joint only

Question 29

whats the normal ROM MCP finger flexion and extension

Answer 29

F-90

E-45