Elbow joint

• The elbow joint is actually composed of two separate articulations: the humeroulnar joint and humeroradial joint.
  • The humeroulnar joint is formed between the trochlea of the medial distal end of the humerus and the coronoid process of the ulna.
  • The humeroradial joint is formed between the capitulum of the lateral distal end of the humerus and the head of the radius.
• The humeroulnar joint is the functionally significant joint of the elbow joint complex.
• The elbow joint is a synovial, diarthrotic, uniaxial, hinge joint
• It allows:
  • Flexion/extension in the sagittal plane.

NOTES:

1. Also located with the synovial joint capsule of the elbow is the proximal radioulnar joint.
2. We normally think of standard open-chain joint actions of the forearm moving relative to the arm at the elbow joint. However, when the hand is holding onto a stable object (i.e., is closed chain), then the arm must move toward the forearm. An example is doing a chin up.
3. Pronation and supination of the forearm do NOT occur at the elbow joint; they occur at the radioulnar joints.

Anterior view of the elbow joint on the right side of the body.

Posterior view of the elbow joint on the right side of the body.