The Anatomy of The Elbow
The elbow is a complex hinge joint that connects the upper arm to the forearm, allowing you to bend, straighten, and rotate your arm. It plays a vital role in everyday movements like lifting, throwing, and reaching.
The elbow is made up of three bones:
- Humerus (upper arm bone)
- Radius and ulna (forearm bones)
These bones come together to form the elbow joint, which is supported by ligaments for stability, tendons that attach muscles to bone, and cartilage that cushions the joint during movement.
Key muscles like the biceps and triceps control arm motion, while nerves (including the ulnar nerve, also known as the "funny bone") help power your movements and provide sensation to the forearm and hand.
Because of its frequent use and range of motion, the elbow is prone to injuries like tendonitis, fractures, dislocations, and nerve compression.