Elbow: Anatomy
Bony Anatomy
Radius
 Ulna
 Humerus – 2 condyles

◦ Lateral – capitulum
 Articulates with the radius
◦ Medial – trochlea
 Articulates with humerous
Ligaments
◦ Ulnar collateral
 Medial epicondyle to
ulnar trochlear notch
 Strong anterior band,
weaker transverse &
middle
 Gives medial support
◦ Radial collateral
 Lateral epicondyle to
side of annular ligament
 Does not attach to
radius
 Gives lateral support
◦ Annular
 Holds radius to ulna and
humerus
 Allows rotation of radius
(supination and flexion)
 Gives lateral support
Muscles

Flexion
◦ Biceps brachii, brachial, brachioradialis

Extension
◦ Triceps brachii

Pronation
◦ Pronator quadratus, pronator teres

Supination
◦ Biceps brachii, supinator muscle
Muscles

Biceps brachii

◦ Insertion
◦ Insertion
 Tuberosity of the radius
 Styloid process of the
raidus
◦ Movement
◦ Movement
 Flexes elbow, supinates
forearm

Brachialis
◦ Insertion
 Coronoid process of
ulna
◦ Movement
 Flexes elbow
Brachioradialis
 Flexes elbow

Triceps brachii
◦ Insertion
 Olecranon process of
ulna
◦ Movement
 Extension
Muscles

Supinator
◦ Insertion
 Proximal end of the
lateral surface of the shaft
of the radius
◦ Movement
 Supinates the elbow

Pronator teres
◦ Insertion
 Middle of the lateral
surface of the shaft of the
radius
◦ Movement
 Pronates elbow

Anconeus
◦ Insertion
 Lateral surface of the
olecranon process of the
ulna
◦ Movement
 Extends elbow
Joints

Humeroradial
◦ Articulation of lateral distal humerus and
proximal radius

Radioulnar
◦ Articulation between radial notich of the
proximal lateral aspect of ulna, the radial head
and capitulum of distal humerus
 Important in supination andpronation

Humeroulnar
◦ Articulation between distal humerus medially and
proximal ulna
Nerves
◦ Median
 Passes deep in the cubital fossa medial to the biceps
and brachialis
◦ Radial
 Lateral to biceps and brachialis
◦ Ulnar
 Courses posteriorly in groove between the medial
epicondyle and olecranon process
◦ Musclocutaneous
 Passes through cubital fossa, supplies the anterior
forearm and thenar muscles
Elbow Anatomy

MISC
◦ Medial & lat. Condyles with the olecranon process
form a straight line when arm is straight
 Forms a triangle when arm is bent
◦ Posterolateral triangle – radial head, lat. Condyle,
olecronon process
 Good place for aspiration
Elbow Anatomy

Carrying angle
◦ 5-15 degrees female
5-10 degrees male
 This angle will
increase in athletes
that have participated
in throwing sports for
a long time, or the
angle could increase if
there is a fx

ROM
◦ Flexion – 145 degrees
◦ Extension – 0 / -5
degrees
◦ Pronation & supination
– 90 degrees
Flexion and Extension
Pronation and Supination