Wednesday, November 16, 2011

Bones of the Elbow

elbow

What bones are at this joint?

The bones at the elbow joint are the humerus or upper arm bone, and the the two bones in the forearm called the ulna and radius. It may help to remember that the ulna is the bone on the pinky side and the radius is the bone on the thumb side.

What type of joint is this?

There are actually two joints in the elbow, three really, the joints that connect the upper arm bone to the two forearm bones and the joint that connects the two forearm bones to each other that, freakily, is actually a moving joint:

  • the humeroulnar and humeroradial joints are hinge joints that work as a single joint
  • the proximal or superior radioulnar joint is a trochoid or pivot joint

What body part moves this joint?

The muscles that hinge your elbow are mostly in your upper arm, but the muscles that pivot your forearm at the elbow are more in your forearm.

What body part is moved at this joint?

The part that is moved at your elbow is your forearm.