Posterior Arm

Question 1

What type of joint is the elbow?

Answer 1

Synovial hinge

Question 2

Name the main bony features at the elbow joint

Answer 2

On humerus - capitulum, trochlear, medial and lateral epicondyles
On ulna- coronoid process, olecranon, trochlear notch

Make sure you can identify these in a diagram/ on a specimen

Question 3

What is the annular ligament?

Answer 3

Strong fibres that wrap around the head of the radius and keep the radius in contact with the radial notch of the ulna

Question 4

What are the ligaments at the elbow joint? (3)

Answer 4

Medial
Lateral
Annular

Question 5

What bursa at the elbow joint is susceptible to bursitis?

Answer 5

Olecranon bursa

Question 6

What originates from the medial epicondyle?

Answer 6

Flexor muscles of forearm

Question 7

What originates from the lateral epicondyle?

Answer 7

Extensor muscles of forearm

Question 8

What is the name given to lateral epicondylitis?

Answer 8

Tennis elbow

Question 9

What is the name given to medial epicondylitis?

Answer 9

Golfer’s elbow

Question 10

What muscle makes up the posterior compartment of the arm?

Answer 10

Triceps brachill

Question 11

What are the heads of the triceps brachii?

Answer 11

Long head
Lateral head
Medial head

Question 12

What are the origins of all the heads of the triceps brachii?

Answer 12

Long head - infraglenoid tubercle of scapula
Lateral head - humerus (superior to radial groove)
Medial head - humerus (inferior to radial groove)

Question 13

What head of the triceps brachii lies the deepest (i.e. you can’t see it unless you dissect away the other two)

Answer 13

Medial head

Question 14

What is the insertion of the triceps brachii?

Answer 14

The three heads converge to a tendon which inserts on the olecranon of ulna

Question 15

What nerve supplies the triceps brachii?

Answer 15

Radial nerve (C5-T1 but mostly C7)

Question 16

What is the action of the triceps brachii?

Answer 16

Extension of the forearm at the elbow

Question 17

What nerve is vulnerable to damage in a fracture of the mid-shaft of the humerus?

Answer 17

Radial nerve

Question 18

What does the axillary artery branch into and where does this happen?

Answer 18

Branches into the brachial artery at the level of the lower border of teres major

Question 19

What are the main branches of the brachial artery?

Answer 19

Profunda brachii (deep artery of arm)
Radial artery
Ulnar artery
Nutrient branches to humerus

Question 20

What is the sensory supply to the medial aspect of the posterior arm?

Answer 20

Anterior rami of spinal nerves C8, T1, T2

Question 21

Where does cardiac pain sometimes refer to?

Answer 21

Medial aspect of arm

Question 22

What is the sensory supply to the lateral aspect of the posterior arm?

Answer 22

Anterior rami of spinal nerves C5 and C6