Medically, the elbow joint is also called the articulatio cubiti. It is a compound joint and consists of three partial joints. Through the elbow joint, the forearm can be flexed and extended relative to the upper arm. Furthermore, it allows rotations of the forearm.
What is the elbow joint?
Schematic diagram showing the anatomy and structure of the elbow. Click to enlarge. Between the forearm and the upper arm, the elbow forms the appropriately mobile union of the joints. Articulatio cubiti connects the radius with both forearm bones and the humerus. The three partial joints are functionally one unit. They share a common joint capsule. The joints are stabilized by three ligaments. As a partial joint, the elbow joint is a hinge joint. It can withstand stronger mechanical loads. Bursae in the vicinity of the elbow joint serve to relieve stress. Each contact surface of the elbow joint is protected by articular cartilage. This cartilage functions as a kind of damper while protecting the bones from abrasion and degradation.
Anatomy and structure
The humeral ulnar joint, humeral radial joint, and proximal ulnar radial joint are the three partial joints that make up the elbow joint. Through the humeral-elbow joint, which is located in the middle of the humeral condyle and the forearm bone, allows flexion up to 150 degrees. It is a hinge joint that also allows extensions. The humeral-spin joint is located between the humeral head and the forearm joint fossa. It is a ball-and-socket joint. This allows the arm to be rotated in both directions. Furthermore, the proximal ulna-spoke joint sits in the middle of both forearm bones. Directly connected to the radius as well. It is a wheel joint. This allows the forearm to be rotated and turned accordingly. Altogether, the three partial joints allow a wide range of motion of the arms as well as the hands. The joint capsule of the elbow joint generously envelops the three partial joints. It forms folds at the back or front when the forearm is extended or flexed. The elbow joint forms extra fat bodies to fill these space formations. Two collateral ligaments that cross over each other provide stability at the sides of the elbow joint. Furthermore, there is an annular ligament that encircles the head of the radius. It belongs to the joint capsule and allows the rotation of the radius to the opposite ulna.
Function and tasks
The primary function of the elbow joint is to make movements of the arms possible. These twisting, extending, and bending movements are controlled mainly by the muscles of the upper arm. The upper arm muscles are again directed by the main nerves of the arm. These are the radial nerve, ulnar nerve and median nerve. The elbow joint is a very complex joint. It is resistant and can withstand greater loads well. In addition, it is also exposed to a high degree during physical work or sports. However, the elbow joint must not be permanently overloaded or misloaded. It quickly reacts to this with inflammatory processes.
Diseases and complaints
A common clinical picture in the elbow joint area is therefore bursitis. When too much pressure is applied, the bursae additionally fill with fluid. This is to better cushion the pressure. An inflammation develops, which can cause severe pain and swelling in the elbow area. It is mostly treated with medication for inflammation and pain, as well as applications with cold. Especially in children, an elbow fracture often occurs. Movement is then only possible with severe pain. An elbow fracture is a serious injury. If the joint is directly affected or splintered, there is usually no way around surgical intervention. Furthermore, the elbow joint can dislocate. This is very painful and affected persons cannot move the arm. Often a dislocated elbow is very swollen. It is important to have the elbow joint reset by a skilled physician as soon as possible. Tennis elbow is one of the conditions that put stress on the elbow joint. This is an irritation of the tendons in the outer area of the elbow. The cause is extreme overload of the forearm muscles. Acupuncture, pain therapy and cooling are used for therapy.In so-called golfer’s elbow, the inner area of the elbow is also affected by overexertion. Likewise, the nerves at the elbow joint can be irritated or damaged. In cubital tunnel syndrome, the bony groove for the ulnar nerve is affected. If an unusual tightness develops in this groove, the nerve is affected. Causes for this tightness vary, ranging from a bone fracture to inflammatory processes caused by high stress. Another condition that affects the elbow joint is osteochondrosis dissecans, a detachment of bone and cartilage in the joint. The bone then moves like a free joint body in the joint. Severe pain accompanies this condition, in which the free joint body can also become trapped. This can cause the elbow joint to lock. Arthritis can also affect the elbow joint. The rheumatoid form can lead to functional limitation of the arm.
