Upper Extremity - Elbow & Humerus Anatomy

These flashcards cover key anatomical terms and concepts related to the elbow and humerus, as outlined in the notes from the lecture.

Elbow

A joint between the upper and lower arm, comprised of the ulna, radius, and humerus, functioning as a synovial hinge joint.

Trochlear notch

A concave surface on the ulna that articulates with the trochlea of the humerus.

Coronoid process

A protrusion of the ulna that helps form the elbow joint and limits backward motion of the ulna.

Radial head

The proximal end of the radius that articulates with the radial notch of the ulna.

Humerus

The largest and longest bone of the upper extremity, articulating with the shoulder girdle at its proximal end and the radius and ulna at its distal end.

Fat pad

An accumulation of adipose cells found in synovial joints, that can indicate joint pathology when displaced.

Supination

A rotational movement where the palm faces upward and the radius and ulna are parallel.

Pronation

A rotational movement where the palm is facing down and the radius crosses over the ulna.

Epicondyle

Bony protrusions on the humerus that serve as attachment sites for muscles and ligaments.

Olecranon fossa

A deep depression on the posterior aspect of the humerus that accommodates the olecranon process when the elbow is extended.

Capitulum

The rounded portion of the distal humerus that articulates with the radial head.

Trochlea

The spool-shaped surface on the distal end of the humerus which articulates with the trochlear notch of the ulna.

Ulnar styloid process

A bony prominence at the distal end of the ulna.

Radial styloid process

A bony projection on the distal end of the radius that can be palpated.

Humeral shaft (body)

The long, cylindrical part of the humerus that becomes flattened and wider at the distal end.

Intertubercular Groove

A deep depression between the greater and lesser tubercles of the humerus that serves as a passage for the tendon of the long head of the biceps brachii.

Humeral condyle

The entire distal end of the humerus, including the trochlea and capitulum.

Coronoid fossa

A shallow depression on the anterior surface of the humerus that receives the coronoid process of the ulna during elbow flexion.

Olecranon process

The bony prominence of the ulna at the elbow that forms the point of the elbow.

Radial fossa

A depression on the anterior surface of the humerus that accommodates the radial head when the elbow is flexed.