Forearm and Elbow Anatomy & Positioning

Vocabulary flashcards for reviewing forearm and elbow anatomy and radiographic positioning.

Radius

The bone on the lateral side of the forearm in anatomic position.

Ulna

The bone on the medial side of the forearm in anatomic position.

Radial Head

Flat, disk-like structure at the proximal end of the radius.

Radial Neck

Constricted area under the radial head.

Radial Tuberosity

Bump on the medial side of the radial body, inferior to the neck.

Radial Styloid Process

Conic projection at the distal end of the radius on the lateral side.

Olecranon Process

Concave anterior projection of the ulna, proximal and posterior.

Trochlear Notch

Portion of the ulna that provides a site for the hinge joint in the elbow.

Coronoid Process

Projection on the anterior surface of the ulna.

Radial Notch

Depression lateral to the coronoid process, where the radius resides.

Ulnar Head

Rounded process located at the distal lateral end of the ulna.

Ulnar Styloid Process

Conic projection on the posteromedial end of the ulna.

Radiocarpal Articulation

Joint formed between the radius, articular disc, and scaphoid, lunate, and triquetral bones.

Distal Radioulnar Articulation

Joints where the distal ulna articulates with the ulnar notch of the distal radius.

Proximal Radioulnar Articulation

Joint where the proximal head of the radius articulates with the radial notch of the ulna.

Supination

Movement that rotates the forearm and hand so that the palm faces anteriorly or superiorly.

Pronation

Movement that rotates the forearm and hand so that the palm faces posteriorly or inferiorly.

Trochlea of humerus

Bony structure that articulates with the ulna at the trochlear notch.

Capitulum of humerus

Bony structure that articulates with the head of the radius.

Medial epicondyle

Bony landmarks found on the distal humerus, medial side.

Lateral epicondyle

Bony landmarks found on the distal humerus, lateral side

Coronoid fossa

Depression in the distal humerus anterior to the trochlea.

Olecranon fossa

Depression in the distal humerus posterior to the trochlea.

Displaced Fat Pads

Indication of elbow injury that causes effusion and displaces or alters the shape of fat pads.

Posterior Fat Pad

Fat pad located on the posterior aspect of the elbow.

Anterior Fat Pad

Fat pad located on the anterior aspect of the elbow.

Supinator Fat Pad

Fat pad located near the supinator muscle of the elbow.

Radial

AP forearm criteria: slight superimposition of the ____ head, neck, and tuberosity over proximal ulna

2

AP forearm criteria: collimation ___ inches above and below the forearm.

epicondyles

AP forearm criteria: make sure the ____ are parallel

the ceiling

Lateral forearm criteria: thumb is pointed toward _

Radial

Lateral forearm criteria: ____ tuberosity face anteriorly

3

AP elbow criteria: collimation ___ inches above and below the joint

Prominent

Medial epicondyle is more ____ compared to the lateral

Supracondyler

Lateral border of the trochlea leads to the ___ ridge

Trochlear

The ____ notch is on the ulna

Profile

AP oblique elbow: coronoid process is in _

Medial

AP oblique elbow: 45 degree ____ rotation of elbow

Olecranon

AP oblique elbow: ____ process within the olecranon fossa

Lateral

AP oblique elbow: 45 degree ____ rotation of elbow

Radial

AP oblique elbow: ____ head, neck, and tuberosity projected free of ulna

Elongated

AP elbow: ____ humeral epicondyle

Cortical

Indication of elbow injury: disruption of the ____ bone, presents as incomplete cortical outline

Dislocation

_:Disunion of the bone from joint space.

Olecranon

Lateral elbow: ____ process in profile

Distal

Synovial joint: ____ ulna articulates with the ulnar notch of distal radius

Pivot

Radioulnar articulation: Synovial ____ joint

Ulna

Distal ____ articulates with the ulnar notch of distal radius

Radius

Proximal head of ____ articulates with radial notch of the ulna at the medial side

Parallel

The radius and ulna lie ____ to each other