Elbow Joint

“Elbow Joint”
Bones involved are
Elbow Joint
Type
Hinge type of synovial joint
Articulation
B/W the trochlea & capitulum of humerus
& trochlear notch of ulna & head of the radius
 Elbow Joint Articulation
- Elbow consists of 3
articulations:
 Radioulnar (forearm
pronation/supination)
Fibrous Capsule
completely encloses the joint.
Anterior and posterior parts are thin and weak,
but collateral ligaments strengthen its sides.
attached to the proximal margins of the
coronoid and radial fossae anteriorly, but not
quite to the superior limit of the olecranon fossa
posteriorly.
• Distally the fibrous capsule is attached to the
margins of the trochlear notch, the anterior
border of the coronoid process, and the
annular ligament.
Synovial membrane
 Lines the internal surface of the
fibrous capsule
Ligaments
 Lateral ligament
 Medial ligament
Lateral ligament (radial collateral)
Is triangular ligament, its apex is attached proximally to the
lateral epicondyle of the humerus and its base blends
with the annular ligament of the radius
Medial ligament (ulnar collateral)
It is composed of anterior and posterior bands (parts),
which are connected by a thinner, relatively weak oblique
band.
Its apex is attached to the medial epicondyle of the
humerus.
The strong cord-like anterior part is attached to the
tubercle on the coronoid process of the ulna and the
weaker fan-like posterior part is attached to the medial
edge of the olecranon.
The ulnar nerve passes posterior to the medial
epicondyle and is closely applied to the ulnar collateral
ligament.
 Movements & muscles
of the Elbow joint
This joint can be flexed or
extended
Flexion is produced by the
brachialis and brachioradialis
muscles, but the main flexor is the
brachialis. When the forearm is
supinated, the biceps brachii muscle
also flexes this joint; when it is
pronated, the pronator teres does.

The main extensor of the

elbow joint is the triceps
brachii muscle.
and the anconeus muscle
assist with this movement.
Blood supply of the Elbow joint
Nerve supply
The joint is supplied by the branches of median,
ulnar, musculocutaneous & radial nerves

Relations of the elbow joint

Anteriorly: Brachialis, tendon of biceps, median
nerve & brachial artery
Posteriorly: Triceps a small bursa
Medially: Ulnar nerve
Laterally: Common extensor tendon & supinator
 CARRYING ANGLE
 Flexion and extension occur at the
elbow joint. The long axis of the fully
extended ulna makes an angle of
approximately 170 degrees with the
long axis of the humerus. This angle is
called the carrying angle and is
named for the way the forearm
angles away from the body when
something is carried, such as a pail
of water The obliquity of the angle
THANKS