elbow anatomy
Important structures of the elbow can be divided into several categories. This includes
bones and joints
ligaments and tendons
muscle
strand
blood vessel
Bones and Joints
elbow anatomy
Elbow bone is the humerus (upper arm bone), the ulna (the larger bone of the forearm, on the opposite side of your thumb), and the radius (the smaller bone of the forearm on the same side with the thumb). Elbow itself is essentially a hinge joint, which means arch and straighten like a hinge. But there are joint second in which the tip radius (radial head) meets the humerus. This joint complicated because the radius must rotate so that you can turn your palms up and palms down. At the same time, he had to slide towards the end of the humerus as the elbow flexion and straightening. together is even more complex because the radius should slide against the ulna as the wrist rotates as well. As a result, the tip radius in the elbow-shaped soft keys with a cup at the end to fit on the end of the humerus. Also smooth the edge where the slide against the ulna.
elbow anatomy
articular cartilage is the material that covers the ends of the bones of each joint. articular cartilage can be up to one-quarter inch thick, deep, large joints hold the load. It is slightly thinner in joints such as elbows, which do not support the weight. articular cartilage is white, shiny, and has a chewy consistency. This is a slippery, which allows the joint surfaces to slide against one another without causing damage.
The function of articular cartilage is to absorb shock and provide a very smooth surface to make movement easier. We have articular cartilage essentially everywhere that two bone surfaces move against one another, or articulate. At the elbow, the articular cartilage covering the end of the humerus, the end of the radius, and the end of the ulna.
Ligaments and Tendons
elbow anatomy
There is an important ligament in the elbow. Ligaments are soft tissue structures that connect bone bone. Ligaments around the joints are usually joined together to form a joint capsule. A joint capsule is a watertight sac that surrounds the joint and contains lubricating fluid called synovial fluid.
At the elbow, two of the most important ligaments are the medial collateral ligament and lateral collateral ligaments. The medial collateral is on the edge of the inside of the elbow, and lateral collateral at the outer edge. Together these two ligaments connect the humerus to the ulna and keep it firmly in place like a slide through a groove at the end of the humerus. These ligaments are the main source of stability for the elbow. They can be torn if there is injury or dislocation to the elbow. If they do not heal correctly the elbow can be too loose, or unstable.
There is also an important ligament called the annular ligament that wraps around the radial head and holds it tightly against the ulna. The word means the annular ring-shaped, and forms a ring of circular ligament surrounding the radial head as holding in place. This ligament can be torn when the whole or just the elbow radial head dislocation.
There are several important tendons around the elbow. Biceps tendon attached to a big biceps in the front of the arm with the fingers. This allows the elbow to bend with the force. You can feel this tendon crossing the front fold of the elbow when you tighten the biceps muscle.
elbow anatomy
Triceps tendon connecting the large triceps muscle in the back of the arm with the ulna. This allows the elbow to straighten with force, like when you do push-ups.
The muscles of the forearm and elbow crosses attached to the humerus. Outside, or lateral, a lump just above the elbow called the lateral epicondyle. Most of the muscles that straighten the fingers and wrist all come together in one tendon to attach in this area. On the inside, or medial, bump just above the elbow called the medial epicondyle. Most of the muscles that bend the fingers and wrist all come together in one tendon to attach in this area. Both tendons are very important to understand because they are a common location tendonitis.
Muscle
The main muscles are important in the elbow have been mentioned above in the discussion about tendons. They are the biceps, triceps, wrist extensor (attached to the lateral epicondyle) and wrist flexors (attached to the medial epicondyle).
elbow anatomy
Strand
All the nerves that run in the arm across the elbow. Three main nerves begin together at the shoulder: the radial nerve, ulnar nerve and median nerve. Nerves carry signals from the brain to the muscles that move the arm. The nerves also carry signals back to the brain about sensations such as touch, pain, and temperature.
Some problems are more common around the elbow is a matter of nerve. Every nerve running through the tunnel itself as it crosses the elbow. Because the elbow must bend a lot, nerves must bend as well. Constant bending and straightening can cause irritation or pressure on the nerves in their tunnels and cause problems such as pain, tingling, and weakness in arms and hands.
elbow anatomy
Blood vessel
Traveling together with a large vessel that supplies nerve arm with blood. Largest artery is the brachial artery that moves in front of the elbow crease. If you put your hand in the bend of your elbow, you may be able to feel the pulsing of this large artery. Brachial artery divides into two branches just below the elbow: a. ulnar and radial arteries that continue to hand. Damage to the brachial artery can be very serious because the blood supply to the hand.
Summary
As you can see, the elbow more than a simple hinge. It is designed to provide maximum stability as we position our arms to use our hands. When you realize all the different ways we use our hands every day and all the different positions we put our hands on, easy to understand how difficult everyday life can be when the elbow is not working properly.