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
Feature of pisiform
Sesame is bone so is embedded in tendon
Muscles of deep anterior compartment in forearm
Flexor digitorum profundus
Flexor pollicis longus
Pronator quadratus
Divisions of posterior forearm compartment
Muscles that move: Wrist joint Digits Thumb “Other”
Muscles that move digits posterior compartment
Extensor digitorum
Extensor indicis
Extensor digit minimi
Muscles that move thumb
Abductor pollicis longus
Extensor pollicis longus
Extensor pollicis brevis
Other muscles of posterior forearm compartment
Brachioradialis
Supinator
Differences in carrying angle males and females
Females is normally wider above 15 degrees
Males is normally narrower like 10-15
Muscles of supination
Supinator
Biceps
Extensor pollicis longus
Extensor carpi radialis longus
Muscles of pronation
Pronator quadratus Pronator teres Flexor carpi radialis Palmaris longus Brachioradialis
Muscles for flexion of wrist
FCR FCU Flexors of thumb and digits PL APL
Abduction of radial
AP”
FCR
ECRL
ECRB
Muscles of adduction in wrist
ECU
FCU
Division of ulnar artery
Common interossesous branch that becomes anterior and posterior interosseous arteries
Main nerves of upper limb
Musculocutaneous
Ulnar
Median
Radial
Role of musculocutaneous nerve in forearm
Sensory to lateral forearm
Role of median nerve
Main nerve for muscles of forearm
Path of median nerve
Goes through anterior compartment of arm lying anterior to elbow with brachial artery
Route of ulnar nerve
Goes through posterior arm compartment behind medial epicondyle at elbow
Role of ulnar nerve
Main nerve of hand
Route of radial nerve
Passes around body of humerus at mid shaft in radial groove then courses via anterior compartment of upper arm more distally before dividing into a deep and superficial branch at elbow
Superficial branch of radial nerve
Superficial radial nerve
Sensory
Deep branch of radial nerve and function
Posterior interossesous nerve
Motor
Muscles of wrist extension
ECRL
ECR
ECU
Long extensors of thumb and fingers
2 radio-ulnar joints
Proximal and distal
Muscles that move wrist joint
Extensor carpi radialis longus
Extensor carpi radialis brevis
Extensor carpi ulnaris
Way of remembering common flexor tendon muscles positions
Place left 4 fingers on right cubital fossa and moving down to little finger PT FCR PL FCU
What anterior superficial muscles originate from common flexor tendon attached to medial epicondyle
All but FDS
Muscles of anterior superficial compartment
Protonator teres Flexor carpi radialis Palmaris longus Flexor digitorum superficilialis Flexor carpi ulnaris
Division of anterior compartment
Superficial and deep
Compartments of forearm
Anterior
Posterior
Distal row of carpals
Trapezium
Trapezoid
Capitate
Hamate
