Elbow And Forearm Flashcards
Where does the ulnar nerve run through and when is pain felt?
Runs through the olecranon
Superficial nerve–painful when funny bone is hit
What is the importance of the radial notch of the ulna?
Articulation of ulna and radius for pronation and supination
Carrying angle for males and females
Males: 5-10 degrees
Females: 10-15 degrees (due to wider pelvis)
What are the 3 joints in the elbow and what type of joints are they?
Humero-ulnar: uniaxial hinge
Humero-radial: uniaxial hinge
Radio-ulnar: uniaxial pivot
What allows a wide range of flexion in the elbow?
Humeral condyle is curved forward
Why are fractures common in the elbow?
Bone limits joint movement (rather than ligaments)
What types of stress do the radial collateral mad ulnar collateral ligaments prevent?
Radial collateral: VARUS (adduction)
Ulnar collateral: VALGUS (abduction)
What ligament does the radial collateral ligament blend to?
Annular ligament
What are the three bands of the ulnar collateral ligament and what are they responsible for?
Anterior band: taut in extension (shortened when arm is in sling)- strongest
Posterior band: taut in flexion- weakest
Oblique band: deepens trochlear notch
What are the 4 ligaments of the elbow joint?
Collateral ligaments
Oblique cord
Annular ligament
Interosseous membrane
Significance of oblique cord
Connects ulna and radius
Assists with pron/supin
Significance of annular ligament
Surrounds radial head
Synovium inside allows it to function as a joint
Holds in head of radius and allows in to rotate
Significance of interosseous membrane
Binds length of ulna and radius
Prevents displacement of radius
Functional significance of radial artery and brachial artery
Radial artery: pulse in wrist
Brachial artery: pulse in elbow (medial bicipital groove)
What nerve is damaged with a spiral fracture of the humerus?
Radial nerve
Contents of the cubital fossa
Brachial artery
Radial nerve
Median nerve
Biceps tendon
Borders of the cubital fossa
Medial: pronator teres
Lateral: brachioradialis
Floor: brachialis and supinator (innervated by radial n)
Roof: brachial/antebrachial fossa (reinforced by bicipital apneurosis)
Flexors of arm
Biceps
Brachialis
Coracobrachialis
*supplied by musculocutaneous n.
Extensors of arm
Triceps
Anconeus
*supplied by radial n.
Olecranon bursitis
Inflammation of olecranon bursa
Common in old people and bed ridden people
What is a supracondylar fracture?
Break above the elbow joint
Common in children and old people
What is nurse maid’s elbow?
Dislocation of radial head from annular ligament
Common in children
