The Elbow and Forearm Flashcards
What are the articulating surfaces of the elbow joint
Trochlear notch of ulna and trochlea of humerus
Head of radius and capitulum of humerus
What are the bursae of the elbow
Intratendinous
Subtendinous
Subcutaneous
What are the ligaments of the elbow
Radial collateral
Ulnar collateral
What nerves supply the elbow
Median
Musculocutaneous
Radial
What are the movements of the elbow and which muscles cause them
Extension - triceps brachii and anconeus
Flexion - brachialis, biceps brachii and brachioradialis
What are the features on the proximal region of the radius and what are their functions
Head of radius - where articulate with humerus and ulnar is
Neck - between head and tuberosity
Radial tuberosity - where biceps brachii attaches
What is the feature of the radial shaft and what is its purpose
Roughening on middle of lateral surface where pronator teres attaches
What features are on the distal region of the radius and what are their functions
Styloid process
Ulnar notch - articulates with head of ulnar
Distal surface has two facets - articulation with scaphoid and lunate carpal bones
What are the features of the proximal end of the ulna and what are their functions
Olecranon - attachment site of triceps brachii (superiorly) and forms part of trochlea notch
Coronoid process - forms part of trochlea notch
Trochlea notch - articulates with trochlea of humerus
Radial notch - articulates with head of radius
Ulnar tuberosity - roughening where brachialis attaches
What are the featuers on the shaft of the ulna and what are their purposes
Anterior surface - attachment site for pronator quadratus
Posterior surface - attachment side for many muscles
Medial surface - unremarkable
Anterior border - can be palpated
Interosseous border - attachment site of interosseous membrane
Anterior border - unremarkable
What is the proximal radioulnar joint
Joint located near top of elbow formed by articulation between head of radius and radial notch of ulna
What ligament is found at the proximal radioulnar joint and what is its function
Annular ligament - forms collar around radial head allowing it to rotate while maintaining contact with radial notch of ulna
Reduces friction during movement and stabilise the joint
What movements does the proximal radioulnar joint allow and which muscles are involved
Pronation - pronator quadratus, pronator teres
Supination - supinator, biceps brachii
What is the distal radioulnar joint
Joint found proximal to the wrist and is an articulation between ulnar notch of radius and ulnar head
What ligaments are found at the distal radioulnar joint
Anterior and posterior ligaments
Articular disk (fibrocartilaginous ligament) - triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC)
What are the functions of the articular disk/triangular fibrocartilage complex
Binds ulnar and radius together
Separates distal radioulnar joint form wirst joint
What movements are allowed by the distal radioulnar joint
Pronation - pronator teres and pronator quadratus
Supination - supinator and biceps brachii
What is the interosseous membrane and what are its functions
A sheet of connective tissue joining radius and ulnar together, spans distance between medial radial border and lateral ulnar border
Functions:
Holds radius and ulnar together
Site of muscle attachment
Transfers forces from radius to ulna
What is the cubital fossa and what form its borders
Area of transmission between arm and forearm. It is a depression on the anterior surface of the elbow
Lateral - medial border of brachioradialis
Medial - lateral border of pronator teres
Superior - imaginary line between epicondyles of humerus
Floor - proximally by brachialis, distally by supinator
Roof - skin and fascia, reinforced by bicipital aponeurosis
What are the contents of the cubital fossa, lateral to medial
Radial nerve
Biceps tendon
Brachial artery
Median nerve
What arteries does the brachial artery bifurcate distal to the cubital fossa
Radial and ulnar arteries
What arches are formed by the anastomoses of the ulnar and radial arteries
Superficial palmar arch
Deep palmar arch
What are the two superficial veins of the upper limb, where do they originate and terminate and how do they ascend
Basilic - from dorsal venous network of hand, ascends medial aspect, combines with brachial veins to form axillary at border of teres major
Cephalic - from dorsal venous network of hand, ascends antero-lateral aspect, terminates by joining axillary in the axilla
What is the carrying angle and what are its values
The valgus angle between the ulna and long axis of the humerus in full extension
5-10o in men and 10-15o in women
