Olecranon

The olecranon /oʊˈlɛkrənɒn/ from the Greek olene meaning elbow and kranon meaning head.^[1] is a large, thick, curved bony eminence of a bone in the forearm (the ulna) that projects behind the elbow. It forms the most pointed portion of the elbow and is opposite to the cubital fossa. The olecranon serves as a lever for muscles that extend (straighten) the elbow joint.

Structure

It is situated at the upper (proximal) end of the ulna, one of the two bones in the forearm. When the hand faces forward (supination) the olecranon faces towards the back (posteriorly).

It is bent forward at the summit so as to present a prominent lip which is received into the olecranon fossa of the humerus in extension of the forearm.

Its base is contracted where it joins the body and the narrowest part of the upper end of the ulna.

Its posterior surface, directed backward, is triangular, smooth, subcutaneous, and covered by a bursa.

Its superior surface is of quadrilateral form, marked behind by a rough impression for the insertion of the Triceps brachii; and in front, near the margin, by a slight transverse groove for the attachment of part of the posterior ligament of the elbow-joint.

Its anterior surface is smooth, concave, and forms the upper part of the semilunar notch.

Its borders present continuations of the groove on the margin of the superior surface; they serve for the attachment of ligaments, viz., the back part of the ulnar collateral ligament medially, and the posterior ligament laterally.

From the medial border a part of the flexor carpi ulnaris arises; while to the lateral border the anconeus muscle is attached.

Clinical significance

Fractures of the olecranon are common injuries. An olecranon fracture with anterior displacement of the radial head is called a Hume fracture.

Additional images

• 
  Bones of left forearm. Anterior aspect.
• 
  Plan of ossification of the ulna. From three centers.
• 
  Left elbow-joint, showing anterior and ulnar collateral ligaments.
• 
  Capsule of elbow-joint (distended). Posterior aspect.
• 
  Posterior surface of the forearm. Deep muscles.
• 
  The Supinator.

See also

• Ulna
• Olecranon fracture

References

This article incorporates text in the public domain from the 20th edition of Gray's Anatomy (1918)

External links

• radiographsul at The Anatomy Lesson by Wesley Norman (Georgetown University) (xrayelbow)
• Anatomy diagram: 02240.008-1 at Roche Lexicon - illustrated navigator, Elsevier