Elbow

=The Elbow= The germanic origins of this very word links it to another- **ell**, a unit of length that is now obsolete. Ell measures up almost exactly to the length of shoulder to fingertips. The elbow lies right in the center, although the original word was **ellbow**. No one is really sure why the second "L" was dropped, as it should be "ellbow." This would be the bow within the "ell", which is the full extent of the arm. Along with that, the **ulna** should technically be noted as the "**ellbone**." Much like the knee, the elbow is a //[|ginglymus] -// or a //hinged joint.// This means it only allows very specific backwards and forwards motions. The elbow is made by three bones, which would be the [|humerus], the [|radius], and its partner the [|ulna]. That little bump at the very end of your elbow has a name as well- this is called the [|olecranon process] of the ulna. A process is just a small projection from something bigger- like the bump of your elbow coming from the big bone of your arm.

Looking back into the movement ability of the elbow, it is allowed a surprisingly large range of motion for a restricted joint. It can either:
 * Perform [|flexion] and [|extension]- this is the hinge-like movement that allows it to go back and forth.
 * Perform [|pronation] or [|supination]- these let you turn your forearm over, and happens between where the **radius** touches the **ulna**.

Most of the force causing the elbow joint to move is between the **humerus** and the **ulna**, and very little force is transmitted between the **humerus** and the **radius**.

When your arm is extended with your palms facing forward or up, your **humerus** and the bones of your forearm are not aligned perfectly. The deviation from a straight line works with the direction of the thumb, and is called the "**carrying angle**". In females, the carrying angle is more pronounced than in males. The carrying angle affects how people might hold things- for example, someone with an extreme carrying angle might [|supinate] the forearm while carrying things in order to keep the arm closest to the body. media type="youtube" key="wRUkpGoiUZ8&rel=1" height="243" width="290" =Muscles of the Elbow= The muscles that work with the elbow are known as: == =Arteries of the elbow= The arteries that supply the joint form a complete [|anastomotic] network around it. They are derived from the [|anastomosis] - a connection of blood related vessels - that are between the the [|profunda] and the superior and [|inferior ulnar collateral] branches of the [|brachial]. Those are linked with the posterior, anterior and interosseous recurrent branches of the [|ulnar] and and the [|recurrent branch of the radial]. = = =Nerves of the elbow= One of the main nerves of the elbow is a twig from the ulnar, which passes through the **olecranon** and **medial** [|condyle]. Along with that would be two filaments from the [|median] and one from the [|musculocutaneous].
 * The **Brachialis** is up in the front, composing the inner elbow area. Odd fact: This area is also known as "**timbow**."
 * In the back, there are the [|Triceps brachii] and [|Anconæus].
 * [|Laterally] lies the [|Supinator], along with the common tendon of origin of the **extensor** muscles.
 * Medially lies the common tendon origin of the **flexor** muscles, and the [|Flexor carpi ulnaris].

=Ligaments of the elbow= The [|trochlea] of the humerus connects at the [|semilunar notch of the ulna.] The [|capitulum of the humerus] works with the **fovea** on the head of the **radius**. They are all connected by **distinct** **ligaments**, which are thickened medially and laterally but are slightly thinner in the front and behind. The major ligaments of the elbow are named the [|ulnar collateral ligament], [|radial collateral ligament], and [|annular ligament].

=Synovial membrane= This membrane is very extensive- it covers the margin of the [|articular surface] of the **humerus**, as well as lines the **coronoid, radial** and **olecranon fossæ** on that bone. It forms a pouch between the **radial notch**, the circumference of the **head of the radius**, and the deep surface of the **annular ligament**. Between the **radius** and the **ulna** lies a fold of **synovial membrane**, showing the joint is divided into two- one side the **humeroradial** and the other the **humeroulnar**. Snug between the capsule and the **synovial membrane**, three masses of fat lie.
 * The smallest lies over the **radial fossa**, and are pressed by the **Brachialis** into the necessary fossae during **extension**.
 * The middle sized mass sits over the **coronoid fossa**.
 * The largest is over the **olecranon fossa**, and is pressed into it by the **triceps brachii** during **flexion**.

=Elbow portions=
 * The [|humeroulnar joint]- this is a **simple hinge joint** that connects the **ulna** and the h**umerus**. It allows **flexion** and **extension** only.
 * The [|humeroradial joint]- This connects the head of the **radius** to the **capitulum of the humerus**. It is an [|arthrodial] joint.
 * The [|proximal radioulnar joint]- Connects the **radius** and the **ulna**. While either in the process of **extension** or **flexion**, the **radius** can be rotated as a result of this joint.

=Elbow related diseases= There are many diseases that affect the elbow, and quite a few that only cause harm directly to this very joint. Some examples of these would be elbow arthritis, tennis elbow, golfer's elbow, and bursitis.
 * **Elbow arthritis**- This is just [|arthritis] which forms within the elbow, and can grow so severe that replacement of the joint might become necessary. This could quickly destroy someone's life, as it suddenly cripples them in a sense by not allowing them to live their lives as normal.
 * **Tennis elbow (//lateral epicondylitis//)**- As a result of a specific strain or some sort of overuse (albeit definitely not limited to playing tennis,) the outer part of the elbow becomes incredibly painful and tender. It is connected with [|hyperextension], and can occur to anyone playing any sport.
 * **Golfer's elbow (**//**medial epicondylitis)**-// This is an inflammatory condition of the elbow that is very similar to Tennis Elbow. This occurs when the part of insertion where the **flexion** muscles go into the **medial epicondyle** of the [|humerus] becomes inflamed for some reason, or sometimes for no reason at all.
 * **Bursitis**- This is the inflammation of one or more [|bursae] within the body. These are small sacks of [|synovial fluid]. The bursae often rest at vital places, like where muscle and tendon slide across bone. They are what helps make motion painless, allowing the muscles and tendons to glide effortlessly over the bone. Bursitis makes movement rough and painful as a result of the inflamed bursae. The tendons and muscles then become inflamed as a result, and great pain follows.

=External Links=

[|Anatomy of the Elbow] from SCOI [|Elbow pain information] from MedicineNet.com [|Elbow information] from the Northern Rockies Orthopaedics

=Credits= Pictures from public source [|Gray's Anatomy] Information from: [|Wikipedia: The Elbow] [|Anatomy of the Elbow] [|Elbow information] Video from [|Sportsinjuryinfo]

Page written by Tyler Baum and Jamie Villella From Faith Lutheran Jr/Sr High School And was last edited 1/7/08