Kinesiology in Review: The Elbow Joints
5 anterior muscles
They primarily flex the elbow and pronate the hand
- Biceps Brachii (3 joints)
- Brachialis
- Brachioradialis (2 joints)
- Pronator teres (2 joints)
- Pronator quadratus
3 posterior muscles
They primarily extend the elbow and supinate the hand
- Triceps brachii (2 joints)
- Anconeus
- Supinator
Elbow Flexion:
Sagittal plane, Frontal axis
- Biceps Brachii (3 joints)
- Brachialis
- Brachioradialis (2 joints)
- Pronator teres (2 joints)
Elbow Extension:
Sagittal plane, Frontal axis
- Triceps brachii (2 joints)
- Anconeus
Radioulnar Pronation
Transverse plane, Longitudinal axis
- (Biceps Brachii to neutral position)
- Pronator teres
- Pronator quadratus
Radioulnar Supination
- Supinator
- Biceps Brachii
- (Brachioradialis to neutral position)
The 6 Muscles that flex and extend the elbow joint:
Originate on: humerus and scapula
Insert on: radius and ulna
The 6 Muscles that pronate and supinate the radioulnar joint:
Originate on: humerus, ulna, and scapula
Insert on: radius
Humeroulnar (aka Elbow) Joint
Articulating Bones: | Ulna (Trochlear notch) Humerus (Trochlea) |
Joint type: | Ginglymus (hinge) |
Movements: | Flexion and Extension of forearm in 1 plane |
Plane: | Sagittal |
Axis: | Frontal |
Radioulnar (aka Elbow) Joint
Articulating bones: | Radius (head) Ulna (radial notch) |
Joint Type | Trochoidal |
Movements | Pronation and Supination of hand |
Plane | Transverse |
Axis | Longitudinal |
Definitions:
Ginglymus (hinge) joint: permits a wide range of movement in only 1 plane
Trochoidal (pivot) joint: permits rotational movement around a long axis
Flexion: Movement of the forearm to the shoulder by bending the elbow to shorten its angle
Extension: Movement of the forearm away from the shoulder by straightening the elbow to lengthen its angle
Pronation: internal rotary movement of the radius on the ulna so the hand moves from the palm up to the palm down position
Supination: external rotary movement of the radius on the ulna so the hand moves from the palm down to the palm up position