The elbow is a complex joint formed by the articulation of three bones – the humerus, radius and ulna. The elbow joint helps in bending or straightening of the arm to 180 degrees and assists in lifting or moving objects.
The bones of the elbow are supported by:
The elbow joint is formed at the junction of three bones:
The Humerus (upper arm bone) forms the upper portion of the joint. The lower end of the humerus divides into two bony protrusions known as the medial and lateral epicondyles which can be felt on either side of the elbow joint.
The Ulna is the larger bone of the forearm located on the inner surface of the joint. The curved shape of the ulna articulates with the humerus.
The Radius is the smaller bone of the forearm situated on the outer surface of the joint. The head of the radius is circular and hollow which allows movement with the humerus. The connection between the ulna and radius helps the forearm to rotate.
Humeroulnar joint is formed between the humerus and ulna and allows flexion and extension of the arm.
Humeroradial joint is formed between the radius and humerus, and allows movements like flexion, extension, supination and pronation.
Radioulnar joint is formed between ulna and radius bones, and allows rotation of the lower arm.
Articular cartilage lines the articulating regions of the humerus, radius and ulna. It is a thin, tough, flexible, and slippery surface that acts as a shock absorber and cushion to reduce friction between the bones. The cartilage is lubricated by synovial fluid, which further enables the smooth movement of the bones.
There are several muscles extending across the elbow joint that help in various movements. These include the following:
The elbow joint is supported by ligaments and tendons, which provide stability to the joint.
Ligaments are a group of firm tissues that connect bones to other bones. The most important ligaments of the elbow joint are the:
Tendons are bands of connective tissue fibers that connect muscle to bone. The various tendons which surround the elbow joint include:
The main nerves of the elbow joint are the ulnar, radial and median nerves. These nerves transfer signals from the brain to the muscles that aid in elbow movements. They also carry the sensory signals like touch, pain, and temperature back to the brain.
Any injury or damage to these nerves causes pain, weakness or joint instability.
Arteries are blood vessels that carry oxygen-pure blood from the heart to the hand. The main artery of the elbow is the brachial artery that travels across the inside of the elbow and divides into two small branches below the elbow to form the ulnar and the radial artery.
The elbow joint is a hinge joint that provides great stability and movement for performing daily activities. The strong muscles that extend across the elbow joint bring about actions like flexion, extension, supination and pronation enabling us to perform activities of daily living. These activities can be impaired if there is an injury or trauma to the elbow.
Mkono ni pamoja tata iliyoundwa na articulation ya mifupa mitatu <unk> humerus, radius na ulna. Mfupa wa kiwiko husaidia kugeuza mkono kwa digrii 180 na kusaidia kuinua au kusonga vitu. Mfupa wa kiwiko hutegemezwa na: Mfupa wa kiwiko hufanyizwa katika makutano ya mifupa mitatu: Humerus (mfupa wa mkono wa juu) huunda sehemu ya juu ya kiwiko. Sehemu ya chini ya humerus imegawanyika katika sehemu mbili za mifupa inayojulikana kama epicondyle ya kati na ya upande ambayo inaweza kuhisiwa upande wowote wa kiungo cha kiwiko. Ulna ni mfupa mkubwa zaidi wa mkono ulio kwenye sehemu ya ndani ya kiungo. Umbo la mviringo la ulna huunganishwa na umbo la mkono. Radius ni mfupa mdogo wa mkono ulio kwenye uso wa nje wa kiungo. Kichwa cha radius ni mviringo na tupu ambayo inaruhusu harakati na humerus. Uunganisho kati ya ulna na radius husaidia mkono kuzunguka. Pamoja humeroulnar ni kuundwa kati ya humerus na ulna na inaruhusu flexion na upanuzi wa mkono. Humoradial pamoja ni kuundwa kati ya radius na humerus, na inaruhusu harakati kama flexion, upanuzi, supination na pronation. Pamoja Radioulnar ni kuundwa kati ya ulna na radius mifupa, na inaruhusu mzunguko wa mkono wa chini. Cartilage ya viungo hufunika maeneo ya viungo vya humerus, radius na ulna. Ni uso mwembamba, mgumu, wenye kubadilika-badilika, na wenye kuteleza ambao hufanya kazi kama kifuniko cha mshtuko na kifuniko ili kupunguza msuguano kati ya mifupa. Kamba hutiwa mafuta na umajimaji wa synovial, ambao huwezesha mwendo laini wa mifupa. Kuna misuli kadhaa inayoenea kwenye kiungo cha kiwiko ambayo husaidia katika harakati mbalimbali. Vifaa hivi vinaweza kusaidia: Viungo vya kiwiko hutegemezwa na viungo na tendoni, ambazo huimarisha viungo hivyo. Ligaments ni kundi la tishu imara ambayo kuunganisha mifupa na mifupa mingine. Sehemu muhimu ya kiungo cha mguu ni tendon, ambayo ni nyuzi za tishu ya kuunganisha ambayo huunganisha misuli na mifupa. Vipande vya mshipa wa mguu vinavyozunguka kiungo cha mguu ni pamoja na: Mishipa mikubwa ya kiungo cha mguu ni ulnar, radial na median. Mishipa hiyo huhamisha ishara kutoka ubongo hadi kwenye misuli inayosaidia kuhamisha kiwiko. Pia hubeba ishara za hisi kama vile kugusa, maumivu, na halijoto kurudi kwenye ubongo. Uharibifu wowote au uharibifu wa neva hizi husababisha maumivu, udhaifu au kutokuwa na utulivu wa viungo. Mishipa ya damu ni mishipa ya damu inayobeba damu safi yenye oksijeni kutoka moyo hadi mkono. Mshipa wa mkono ni mhimili wa mkono ambao unapita ndani ya mkono na kugawanyika katika matawi mawili madogo chini ya mkono ili kuunda ulnar na radial arteries. Kiungo cha kiwiko ni kiungo cha hinge ambacho hutoa utulivu mkubwa na mwendo wa kufanya shughuli za kila siku. Misuli ya mguu ya mguu huongeza nguvu ya mguu, na kusababisha flexion, upanuzi, supination, na pronation, na hivyo kufanya kazi za kila siku. Shughuli hizi zaweza kudhoofishwa ikiwa kuna jeraha au jeraha kwenye kiwiko.