Elbow Joint (cubital joint)

Joint Classification Synovial hinge joint (2 articulations)

Axis of movement One degree of movement available! (transverse axis)

(flexion-extension)
Articular surfaces • Humero-ulnar joint(medially)
 Trochlea of humerus
- Circular pulley-shaped trochlea with oblique groove
- Medial side inferiorly tiltedcreates carrying angle
- Concave in frontal plane
- Convex in sagittal plane
 Trochlear notch of ulna
- Deep trochlear notch
- Ridge running from tip of olecranon to tip coronoid process
- Congruent fit to groove on trochlea
-
• Humero-radial joint(laterally)
 Capitulum of humerus
- Incomplete hemispherical shape with variable radius of curvature
- Covered in hyaline cartilage (thickest centrally)
 Head of Radius
- Superior concave surface for articulation with capitulum
- Raised edge for Capitulo-trochlear groove

 All surfaces are covered in Hyaline cartilage

Joint Capsule - Single fibrous capsule
- Lined with synovial membrane
- Shared capsule with superior radioulnar
joint
- No direct attachment to radius
- Blends with collateral ligaments 
↗ strength
- Weaker anteriorly & posteriorly

Ligaments - 2 triangular band on each side blending with joint capsule

• Ulnar collateral ligaments
Bands: Anterior Posterior Transverse Intermediate
From: Medial Medial Epicondyle Coronoid Medial
Epicondyle (posteriorly) process epicondyle
(anteriorly)
To: Coronoid Olecranon Olecranon Transverse
process band
Action Limits abduction,
Anterior band limits extension
 • Radial collateral ligaments
Radial collateral
From: Lateral Epicondyle
(deep to extensor tendon)

To: - Blends with annular

ligament of radius

- Margins of radial notch

of ulna

Action: Limits adduction

 Superior Radioulnar Joint

Joint Synovial pivot joint

Classification

Axis of vertical
movement

Articular • Head of radius: oval shaped, lined with hyaline cartilage

surfaces • Radial notch on ulna: creates 1/5 of ring, lined with hyaline cartilage
• Annular ligament : creates 4/5 of fibro-osseous ring, lined with
fibrocartilage
Joint Capsule • Extensive, shared with elbow

Synovial • Hangs as fold below annular ligament - allows for rotation of radius
membrane
Ligaments

Annular ligament Quadrate ligament

Features: - Creates 4/5 ring From: lower border of radial notch

- Strong & flexible so of ulna
oval head rotates freely
- Attached to anterior & To:
posterior margins of
radial notch
- Superior support
provided by radial
collateral ligament +
blends with annular
ligament & margins of
the radial notch
- Upper part is lined with
synovial membrane
-
Action - Prevents displacement
of radial head
- Stabilisation of joint
- Adjacent medial surface of
neck of radius proximal to
radial tuberosity
- Fibres run in a crisscross
orientation
in any position (pronation &
supination) some fibres are
under tension
- Overall constant tension in
ligament
- Limits pronation
- Limits supination
 Inferior Radioulnar Joint

Joint Synovial pivot joint

Classification

Axis of movement vertical

Articular surfaces • Distal ulna: crescent shaped,

lined with hyaline cartilage
• Distal radius: Biconcave ulnar
notch, lined with hyaline cartilage
• Articular disk: Triangular
fibrocartilage, apex at root of ulnar
styloid and base at inferior edge
ulnar notch on radius
Joint Capsule Loose to allow movement

Synovial • Hangs as fold below annular ligament - allows for rotation of radius
membrane
Articular disk - Triangular fibrocartilaginous discthicker on peripherally
From:
- (apex) lateral side of the base of the styloid process of the ulna
To:
- (Base) sharp inferior edge of ulna notch on the radius
Principle structure uniting the radius and ulna
Increases stability at joint

Interosseous membrane

Joint classification - Strong fibrous sheet between interosseous borders of radius & ulna

Direction of fibres Downwards and medially in oblique fashion

- Transmits forces from handradius, ulna, humerus

- Oblique cord superiorly
- Opening distally (pass way for vessels)
- Tightest in mid-position

Functions - Divides forearm into anterior & posterior compartments

- Shock absorption and dissipation
- Attachment site for deep muscles