Anatomy of elbow joint by Dr Bipul Borthakur

1. ANATOMY OF ELBOW JOINT
Dr.Bipul Borthakur
Professor & HOD,
Department Of Orthopaedics, Smch

2. ELBOW JOINT
•Elbow joint is formed by three
joints:
•Humeroulnar(Ulnotrochlear)
joint
•Humeroradial(Radiocapitellar)
joint
•Proximal Radio-Ulnar joint

3. Type of joint
• It is a Synovial joint
• Hinge type(Allowing movement only in one
plane) &
• Compound joint (as there are two
articulations in the joint)

4. Proximal Articular surfaces
• Trochlea: It is a pully like
structure on medial aspect
of distal end of the
humerus . It form Ulno-
Trochlear joint with
Trochlear notch of ulna.
• Capitellum: It is present on
lateral aspect of distal end
of humerus. It form Radio-
Capitellar joint with head of
radius.

5. Distal articular surface
• Head of Radius
• Olecrenon process of Ulna
• The Ulno-Trochlear & Radio-Capitellar joints allow
movement only in one plane & give Hinge type property
of joint.

6. Proximal Radio-Ulnar joint
• It is the articulation between
the circumferential head of
the radius and a fibro-
osseous ring formed by the
radial groove of the ulna and
the annular ligament that
hold the head of radius in
this groove .
• The proximal radioulnar joint
is functionally a pivot joint ,
allowing a rotational
movement of the radius on
the ulna.

7. Ligaments
• The joint capsule of the elbow is strengthened
by ligaments medially and laterally.
• Ulnar Collateral ligament: It has three bundle
Anterior bundle
Posterior bundle
Oblique bundle
• Ulnar collateral ligament is critical in providing
medial support to prevent elbow from
abducting when stressed in physical activity.

8. • Lateral Collateral ligament: It provides lateral
stability and is rarely injured.

9. Annular Ligament
• It wraps around the radial head and provides a
sling effect around radial head for stability.

10. Relations of Elbow joint
•Muscle
•Bursae
•Vessels and Nerves

11. Relation of Elbow joint :Muscle
Anteriorly:
Biceps brachi
Brachialis
Brachioradialis
Pronator Teres
Pronator Quadratus
Posteriorly:
Triceps brachi
Anconeus
Supinator

12. Bursae
• Subtendinous olecranon bursa: Lies between
triceps tendon and upper surface of olecranon
process
• Subcutaneous olecranon bursa: Lies on
posterior surface of olecranon.
• Bicipitoradial bursa: A small bursa separating
biceps tendon from radial tuberosity.

13. BLOOD SUPPLY OF ELBOW JOINT
• Arterial blood supply of
elbow joint is by arterial
anastomosis around the
elbow formed by branches
of brachial , radial and ulnar
artery.
• Venous blood supply of
elbow joint is by Cephalic
vein , Basilic vein and
median Cubital vein .

14. NERVE SUPPLY OF ELBOW
• All Elbow and
Radioulnar joints
muscles are
innervated from
Median ,
musculocutaneous
and radial nerve.

15. MOVEMENT OF ELBOW JOINT
• Flexion : By Brachialis , Biceps brachii,
Brachioradialis
• Extension: Triceps Brachii , Anconeus

16. • Supination: External
rotatory movement of
radius on ulna .
• Pronation: Internal
rotatory movement of
radius on ulna .

17. Ossification Centres about Elbow
Ossification
centres
Age(years)
Capetellum 1
Radius 3
Medial
Epicondyle
5
Trochlea 7
Olecranon 9
Lateral
Epicondyle
11

18. CARRYING ANGLE
Carrying angle is a small
degree of cubitus valgus
, formed between the
axis of a radially
deviated forearm and
the axis of humerus .
It helps the arm to swing
without hitting the hips
while walking.

19. • Normally it is 5-15 degree away from the body
(more in female).
• A decresed carrying angle can result in the
forearm pointing towards the body , known as
Gunstock deformity or cubitus varus

20. • A increased
carrying angle
can result in the
forearm away
from the body ,
known as
Cubitus Valgus.

21. Fracture around Elbow in adult
Locations Incidence
Radial head
and Neck
50%
Olecranon 20%
Supracondy
lar
10%
Fracture
dislocation
15%

22. Fracture around elbow in children
Location Incidence
Supracondylar 60%
Lateral
Epicondyle
15%
Medial
Epicondyle
10%

23. SUPRACONDYLAR FRACTURE
• Extra-articular fracture
• Three bony point relationship normal
• It is most common fracture in children around
elbow
• Most common mode of injury is fall on out
stretch hand .
• It is two type : Extension type and Flexion type
• Most common displacement is posteromedial.

24. Most common complication is malunion
(cubitus varus)
Most common nerve injury is Anterior
interocious nerve injury.

26. THANK YOU