Elbow, forearm and wrist Flashcards
Summarise the bones of the elbow, forearm and wrist
The Humerus
The Radius
The Ulna
The carpal bones
Proximal row: scaphoid, lunate, triquetrum, pisiform
Distal row: trapezium, trapezoid, capitate, hamate
Which structure serves as an important attachment for the forearm muscles
The epicondyles
Which major structures pass between the arm and the forearm
Proximally, most major structures pass between the arm and forearm through, or in relation to, the cubital fossa, which is anterior to the elbow joint (Fig. 7.77). The exception is the ulnar nerve, which passes posterior to the medial epicondyle of the humerus
What does the bony framework of the forearm consist of
The bone framework of the forearm consists of two parallel bones, the radius and the ulna (Figs. 7.77 and 7.78B). The radius is lateral in position and is small proximally, where it articulates with the humerus, and large distally, where it forms the wrist joint with the carpal bones of the hand.
The ulna is medial in the forearm, and its proximal and distal dimensions are the reverse of those for the radius: the ulna is large proximally and small distally. Proximal and distal joints between the radius and the ulna allow the distal end of the radius to swing over the adjacent end of the ulna, resulting in pronation and supination of the hand.
What does the elbow joint consist of
The elbow joint is a complex joint involving three separate articulations, which share a common synovial cavity (Fig. 7.71).
▪
The 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 are primarily involved with hinge-like flexion and extension of the forearm on the arm and, together, are the principal articulations of the elbow joint.
▪
The joint between the head of the radius and the radial notch of the ulna, the proximal radio-ulnar joint, is involved with pronation and supination of the forearm.
What are the 3 fossae of the humerus and what is their function
Radial: immediately superior to the capitulum
Coronoid: superior to the trochlea anteriorly
Olecranon: superior to the trochlea posteriorly
These three fossae accommodate projections from the bones in the forearm during movements of the elbow joint.
Describe the radial tuberosity at the proximal end of the radius
The radial tuberosity is a large blunt projection on the medial surface of the radius immediately inferior to the neck. Much of its surface is roughened for the attachment of the biceps brachii tendon. The oblique line of the radius continues diagonally across the shaft of the bone from the inferior margin of the radial tuberosity.
Describe the olecranon of the ulna
The olecranon is a large projection of bone that extends proximally from the ulna. Its anterolateral surface is articular and contributes to the formation of the trochlear notch, which articulates with the trochlea of the humerus. The superior surface is marked by a large roughened impression for the attachment of the triceps brachii muscle. The posterior surface is smooth, shaped somewhat triangularly, and can be palpated as the “tip of the elbow.”
Describe the coronoid process of the ulna
The coronoid process projects anteriorly from the proximal end of the ulna (Fig. 7.63). Its superolateral surface is articular and participates, with the olecranon, in forming the trochlear notch. The lateral surface is marked by the radial notch for articulation with the head of the radius.
Describe the supinator crest and the tuberosity of the ulna
Just inferior to the radial notch is a fossa that allows the radial tuberosity to change position during pronation and supination. The posterior margin of this fossa is broadened to form the supinator crest. The anterior surface of the coronoid process is triangular, with the apex directed distally, and has a number of roughenings for muscle attachment. The largest of these roughenings, the tuberosity of the ulna, is at the apex of the anterior surface and is the attachment site for the brachialis muscle.
Describe the condyles of the humerus
Condoyle: most distal part of the bone, which acts as an articular plate for the bones of the forearm
Capitulum (Lateral): articulates with the radius of the forearm - largely anterior
Trochlea (Medial): articulates with the ulna, and is a smooth anterior to posterior ridge
Describe the epicondyles of the humerus
Epicondyles: medial and lateral bony protuberances
Lateral epicondyle: smaller, lateral to capitulum and rough to allow attachment of muscles in the posterior compartment of the arm
Medial epicondyle: larger, medial to the trochlea, and roughened for attachment of anterior compartment muscles; ulnar nerve passes along posterior surface
Supracondylar ridges: are proximal to their respective epicondyles
What are the articular surfaces of the elbow joint covered in
Hyaline cartillage
Where does the synovial membrane of the elbow joint originate from
The synovial membrane originates from the edges of the articular cartilage and lines the radial fossa, the coronoid fossa, the olecranon fossa, the deep surface of the joint capsule, and the medial surface of the trochlea
Describe the synovial membrane and fat pads of the elbow joint
The synovial membrane is separated from the fibrous membrane of the joint capsule by pads of fat in regions overlying the coronoid fossa, the olecranon fossa, and the radial fossa. These fat pads accommodate the related bony processes during extension and flexion of the elbow. Attachments of the brachialis and triceps brachii muscles to the joint capsule overlying these regions pull the attached fat pads out of the way when the adjacent bony processes are moved into the fossae.
Describe the fibrous membrane of the elbow joint capsule
The fibrous membrane of the joint capsule overlies the synovial membrane, encloses the joint, and attaches to the medial epicondyle and the margins of the olecranon, coronoid, and radial fossae of the humerus (Fig. 7.73). It also attaches to the coronoid process and olecranon of the ulna. On the lateral side, the free inferior margin of the joint capsule passes around the neck of the radius from an anterior attachment to the coronoid process of the ulna to a posterior attachment to the base of the olecranon.
Describe the reinforcements of the elbow joint
The fibrous membrane of the joint capsule is thickened medially and laterally to form collateral ligaments, which support the flexion and extension movements of the elbow joint
In addition, the external surface of the joint capsule is reinforced laterally where it cuffs the head of the radius with a strong anular ligament of the radius. Although this ligament blends with the fibrous membrane of the joint capsule in most regions, they are separate posteriorly. The anular ligament of the radius also blends with the radial collateral ligament.
The anular ligament of the radius and related joint capsule allow the radial head to slide against the radial notch of the ulna and pivot on the capitulum during pronation and supination of the forearm.
Describe the deep surface of the fibrous membrane of the elbow joint
The deep surface of the fibrous membrane of the joint capsule and the related anular ligament of the radius that articulate with the sides of the radial head are lined by cartilage. A pocket of synovial membrane (sacciform recess) protrudes from the inferior free margin of the joint capsule and facilitates rotation of the radial head during pronation and supination.
Describe the separation of the anterior and posterior compartments in the forearm
▪
a lateral intermuscular septum, which passes from the anterior border of the radius to deep fascia surrounding the limb;
▪
an interosseous membrane, which links adjacent borders of the radius and ulna along most of their length; and
▪
the attachment of deep fascia along the posterior border of the ulna.
What are the two ridges running down the anterior and posterior of the radius?
Anterior Oblique Line
Posterior Oblique line
Describe the interosseous membrane of the forearm
The interosseous membrane separates the anterior and posterior compartments, and is a site of attachment for muscles in the forearm.
Name the carpal bones.
1st row – scaphoid, lunate, triquetrum, pisiform
2nd row – hamate, capitate, trapezoid, trapezium
What is important to remember about the pisiform
it is a sesamoid bone, and so is not involved in articulation at the wrist joint
embedded in a tendon or a packet of muscle
It is within the flexor carpi ulnaris tendon
The patella is also a sesamoid bone
Which muscles in the anterior compartment of the arm act over the elbow joint and what are they innervated by
Biceps
Brachialis
Coracobrachialis (does not act over elbow)
Musculocutaneous nerve (C5,C6)
Describe the functions of the biceps and brachialis
Biceps- Flexor of the forearm at the elbow (accessory flexor of arm at GHJ)
Brachialis- Flexor of the forearm at the elbow joint
Which muscles in the posterior compartment of the arm act over the elbow joint and what are they innervated by
Triceps
Anconeus
Radial nerve (C7,8)
Describe the functions of the triceps and anconeus muscles
Triceps- Extension of the forearm at the elbow joint
Anconeus- Extension and stabilisation of the forearm at the elbow joint
Summarise the muscles of the forearm
The hand and wrist are operated by ‘remote control’ by these muscles
The forearm muscles actually take origin from the distal humerus as well as the radius and ulna
Flexors (and pronators) anteriorly
Extensors (and supinators) posteriorly
What can the anterior compartment of the forearm be divided into
A superficial and deep compartment
List the muscles found in the superficial anterior compartment of the forearm
Pronator teres (PT) Flexor carpi radialis (FCR) Palmaris longus (PL) Flexor digitorum superficialis (FDS) Flexor carpi ulnaris (FCU)
List the muscles found in the deep anterior compartment of the forearm
Flexor digitorum profundus (FDP) Flexor pollicis longus (FPL) Pronator quadratus (PQ)
Describe the proximal and distal attachments of the flexor carpi ulnaris
Proximal: Humeral head: medial epicondyle of humerus
Ulnar head: olecranon and posterior border of ulna
Distal: Pisiform bone, and then via pisohamate and pisometacarpal ligaments into the hamate and base of metacarpal V
Describe the innervation and function of the flexor carpi ulnaris
Innervation- Ulnar nerve (C7-T1)
Function- Flexes and adducts the wrist joint