Elbow and Radial Ulnar Joints Vocabulary

A set of vocabulary flashcards based on the lecture covering anatomical structures, landmarks, ligaments, muscles, and conditions of the elbow and radial ulnar joints.

Trochlear notch

The U-shaped notch on the ulna that articulates with the trochlea of the humerus to form the hinge joint of the elbow.

Radial notch of the ulna

A distal depression on the ulna in which the head of the radius sits to form the proximal radial ulnar joint.

Supracondylar ridge

A relatively sharp bony ridge located on the humerus above the condyle that provides attachment for the brachialis, pronator teres, and triceps brachii.

Olecranon process

The bony tip of the elbow on the ulna that attaches the triceps, flexor carpi ulnaris (FCU), and flexor digitorum profundus (FDP), and fits into the olecranon fossa during full elbow extension.

Flexor digitorum profundus (FDP)

A deep muscle in the anterior compartment of the forearm that flexes digits $4$ and $5$.

Coronoid process

A bony projection at the superior aspect of the trochlear notch on the ulna that serves as an attachment site for muscles such as the brachialis and the short head of the biceps brachii.

Radial tuberosity

A bony bump or outcropping on the radius that serves as the distal attachment site for the biceps brachii.

Common flexor tendon (CFT)

A common proximal attachment site located on the medial epicondyle of the humerus for multiple forearm flexor muscles.

Common extensor tendon

A common proximal attachment site located on the lateral epicondyle of the humerus for posterior forearm muscles that extend the wrist and fingers.

Humeral ulnar joint

The true hinge joint of the elbow formed by the articulation of the humerus and the ulna, which allows only flexion and extension.

Ulnar collateral ligament (UCL)

A medial ligament structure comprising posterior, intermediate, and anterior bundles that provides medial stability to prevent elbow abduction under stress.

Tommy John surgery

A surgical reconstruction procedure used to repair a torn ulnar collateral ligament (UCL), often utilizing the palmaris longus tendon as a graft.

Palmaris longus

A small forearm muscle present in approximately $80$ percent of people that features a long tendon attaching to the palmar aponeurosis.

Radial collateral ligament (RCL)

A ligament that provides lateral stability to the elbow joint.

Annular ligament

A ligament that straps down the head of the radius against the radial notch of the ulna, allowing the radius to spin during pronation and supination.

Carrying angle

The natural lateral deviation of the forearm relative to the arm in the anatomical position, typically ranging from $5^\times$ to $15^\times$ degrees.

Interosseous membrane

A ligamentous connective tissue sheet between the radius and ulna that forms a syndesmosis joint to hold the bones together while allowing passage for blood vessels and nerves.

Styloid process

Bony projections located at the distal ends of both the radius and the ulna that form palpable knobs at the wrist.

Tennis elbow

Also called lateral epicondylitis, a painful condition involving inflammation near the common extensor origin on the lateral epicondyle, frequently affecting the extensor carpi radialis brevis and extensor digitorum.

Golfer's elbow

Also called medial epicondylitis, a condition characterized by pain and inflammation at the medial epicondyle of the humerus.

Pronator quadratus

A deep, four-sided muscle sitting superficial to the interosseous membrane between the distal radius and ulna that assists in forearm pronation.

Anconeus

A small posterior muscle adjacent to the triceps brachii that assists with extension of the elbow.