Learning objectives
Review the elbow’s normal anatomy,
emphasizing the description of the intervening bone structures,
muscles,
tendons,
ligaments,
main vessels and nerves.
Revisit systematic ultrasound scanning techniques of the elbow joint.
Compare anatomic illustrations with ultrasound images in order to match normal structures.
Background
Anatomy of the elbow
1.
The elbow joint
The elbow joint is one of the most complex in the human skeleton,
actually it comprises two joints that act together,
the humero-ulnar and the humero-radial,
the first articulating the humeral trochlea with the ulnar trochlear notch,
and the second,
the humeral capitulum with the radial head.
Distal to these,
there is the proximal radioulnar joint,
composed by the radial head and the radial notch of the ulna.
All of these joints are covered by the same...
Findings and procedure details
In this section we present typical ultrasound scan planes and identify anatomical structures described in the previous section.
The ultrasound approach usually divides the elbow into four scan surfaces,
located at the anterior,
medial,
lateral and posterior aspects of the elbow.
1.
Anterior aspect of the elbow
Anatomic structures to identify:
Biceps brachii,
brachialis and brachioradialis muscles
Bicipital and brachial tendons
Brachial artery
Superficial and deep veins
Median and radial nerves
Articular surfaces
Radiocapitellar joint
Coronoid fossa with the corresponding fat pad
Patient positioning -...
Conclusion
Comparing normal anatomy with ultrasound images is an important exercise to build a solid starting point for those who initiate their learning of musculoskeletal ultrasound and a review tool for others.
References
1.
Stranding S.
Gray's Anatomy,
40thed.
Chapter 48: Elbow,
831-837.
2008 Elsevier Limited.
2.
Resnik D.
Internal Derangement of Joints 2nd ed.
Chapter 22: Elbow,
1123-1139.
2006Elsevier Health Sciences.
3.
Drake R.Gray's Atlas of Anatomy,
2nd ed.Chapter 7,
383-473.
4.
Gray H.Gray’sAnatomy of the Human Body.PHILADELPHIA: LEA & FEBIGER,
1918.
4.Fowler K,
Chung C.Normal MR Imaging Anatomyof the Elbow.Radiol Clin N Am 44 (2006) 553–567.
5.Beggs I,
Bianchi S,
Bueno A,
Cohen M,
Court-Payen M,
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Kainberger F,
Klauser A,
Martinoli C,
McNally E,...
