Synonyms
Radius head, Processus styloideus radii, Radius fracture, wrist, elbow Medical: Radius
Anatomy
The spoke is medically also called a radius. The radius forms with the ulna the bones of the forearm. Together with the carpal bones of the moon bone (Os lunatum) and scaphoid bone (Os navicularescaphoideum), the radius forms the essential part of the wrist.
Towards the elbow, the radius is smaller and ends with the radial head. There the radius forms the smaller part of the elbow joint (cubital joint). The radial head (Caput radii) enables forearm turning movements. The biceps tendon (Musculus biceps brachii) starts directly above the radial head.
Function
The radius (spoke) has two main functions:
- Forms the largest part of the wrist
- Forms the smaller part of the elbow joint
- Ulna (ulna)
- Moon leg (Os lunatum)
- Spoke (radius)
- Navicular bone (Os navicularescaphoideum)
- Radius head (Capitulum radii)
- Olecranon from the elbow (ulna)
Diseases of the spoke
Spoke shaft fractures occur in addition to the distal radius fracture. The radial shaft fracture in childhood is also a more common type of fracture. As a special feature in childhood, the bone often breaks while the still elastic periosteum remains intact.
This is referred to as a green wood fracture. The arrows point to the barely visible fracture. Only the kink (axial deviation) of the spoke is conspicuous.
