Elbow, forearm and wrist Flashcards
What are the two articular surfaces of the distal humerus and what do they articulate with?
Capitulum – articulates with the head of the radius
Trochlea – articulates with the head of the ulna
Which fossae are present on the anterior side of the distal humerus?
Radial fossa Coranoid fossa (the coranoid process of the ulna slots in here when the elbow is flexed)
Which fossa is present on the posterior side of the distal humerus?
Olecranon fossa – the olecranon process of the ulna slots in here when the elbow is extended
What are tuberosities found near the elbow joint?
Radial tuberosity
Ulnar tuberosity
What does the distal end of the ulna articulate with
An articular disc (not with carpal bones)
What does the distal end of the radius articulate with?
Scaphoid and lunate
What separates the anterior and posterior compartments of the forearm?
Interosseous membrane
What forms the roof of the carpal tunnel?
Flexor retinaculum
What can be palpated in the anatomical snuffbox?
Scaphoid (this is often fractured when trying to break a fall)
Which tendons mark the anatomical snuffbox?
Lateral – Extensor Pollicis Brevis + Abductor Pollicis Longus
Medially – Extensor Pollicis Longus
Which blood vessel is present in the anatomical snuffbox?
Branch of the radial artery
What does the head of the radius articulate with?
Capitulum
What are the main ligaments found at the elbow joint?
Radial collateral ligament
Ulnar collateral ligament
Anular ligament
Describe the articulation of the radius and ulna with the carpal bones.
The distal end of the radius articulates with scaphoid and lunate
The distal end of the ulna does not directly articulate with the carpal bones, it articulates with an articular disc
Describe how the biceps contribute to supination.
The biceps tendon inserts into the radial tuberosity
When prone, the radial tuberosity is turned posteriorly
So then when the biceps contract, it will pull the tuberosity back around
What is the name given to the space anterior to the elbow and what are its boundaries?
Cubital fossa
Superior border – line between the medial and lateral epicondyles of the humerus
Medial border – lateral border of pronator teres
Lateral border – medial border of brachioradialis
Where can the median nerve be damaged easily?
Elbow and wrist
Where is the ulnar nerve easily damaged?
It lies behind the medial epicondyle of the humerus where it can easily be damaged
It can also be damaged at the wrist
Where is the radial nerve easily damaged?
It lies close to the humerus in the radial groove so fractures of the humerus could damage the radial nerve
It can also be damaged in the axillary region
Proximal row of carpal bones
Scaphoid
Lunate
Triquetrum
Pisiform