The basic anatomy of the elbow, wrist, and hand. Also explores some injuries that can occur.
Basic Anatomy of the Elbow
The elbow is made up of three bones which are the humerous, the ulna, and the radius. The humerous forms a hinge joint with the radius and ulna.
Muscles: There are three muscles that flex in the forearm, they are called the brachialis, the biceps brachii, and the brachioradialis. There are two muscles that extend the forearm called the triceps brachii and the anconeus. |
Basic Anatomy of the Wrist & Hand
The wrist and hand are made up of 29 bones (this includes the ulna and radius). The hand is made up of 27 bones which are split into three categories called the metacarpals, the carpals, and the phalanges.
Muscles - The Wrist There are two flexor carpi muscles that flex the wrist, they are called the flexor carpi radialis and the flexor carpi ulnaris. There are three extensor carpi muscles that extend the wrist (with the assistance of the extensor digitorum communis), they are called the extensor carpi radialis brevis, the extensor carpi radialis longus, and the extensor carpi ulnaris. The Hand There is a supination muscle that allows the palm to face upwards called the supinator muscle. There are two pronate muscles that allow the palm to face downwards called the pronator teres and the pronator quadratus. There are two flexor pollicis muscles that allow the thumb to flex, they are called the flexor pollicis longus and the flexor pollicis brevis. There is also two extensor pollicis muscles that allow the thumb to extend called the extensor pollicis longus and the extensor pollicis brevis. The adductor pollicis allows the thumb to adduct.The abductor pollicis longus and the abductor pollicis brevis are the two abductor pollicis muscles that allow the thumb to abduct. Opponens pollicis is the name of the unique muscle that flexes and opposes the thumb. There are flexor digitorum muscles that flex the fingers and extensor digitorum muscles that extend the fingers. The interossei muscles allow for the proximal phalanges to abduct. |
Common Injuries
Contusion - Is injured tissue in which blood capillaries have been ruptured.
Olecranon Bursitis - An inflammation of the bursa that is over the olecranon process of the elbow.
Sprain - Is an injury that occurs when you roll, twist or turn a part of your elbow, wrist, or hand.
Strain - A stretch or tear of a muscle or tendon.
Epicondylitis - A chronic strain of the medial or lateral epicondyle in the elbow.
Dislocation - When a bone is displaced from its regular position
Volkmann's Contracture - is a permanent flexion contracture of the hand at the wrist, resulting in a deformity of the hand and fingers.
Fractures - When bones are pushed to their limit and the bone breaks.
Subluxation - An abnormal movement of one of the bones that make up a joint.
Tendonitis - Is the inflammation of tendons.
Ganglion Cyst - A small, hard lump that is above a tendon or in the capsule that encloses a joint.
Olecranon Bursitis - An inflammation of the bursa that is over the olecranon process of the elbow.
Sprain - Is an injury that occurs when you roll, twist or turn a part of your elbow, wrist, or hand.
Strain - A stretch or tear of a muscle or tendon.
Epicondylitis - A chronic strain of the medial or lateral epicondyle in the elbow.
Dislocation - When a bone is displaced from its regular position
Volkmann's Contracture - is a permanent flexion contracture of the hand at the wrist, resulting in a deformity of the hand and fingers.
Fractures - When bones are pushed to their limit and the bone breaks.
Subluxation - An abnormal movement of one of the bones that make up a joint.
Tendonitis - Is the inflammation of tendons.
Ganglion Cyst - A small, hard lump that is above a tendon or in the capsule that encloses a joint.