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Olecranon
Olecranon
Details
Identifiers
Latin	olecranon
MeSH	D056740
TA98	A02.4.06.002
TA2	1231
FMA	39795
	Anatomical terms of bone [edit on Wikidata]

The olecranon (/oʊˈlɛkrənɒn/, from Greek olene 'elbow' and kranon 'head'), is a large, thick, curved bony process on the proximal, posterior end of the ulna. It forms the protruding part of the elbow and is opposite to the cubital fossa or elbow pit (trochlear notch). The olecranon serves as a lever for the extensor muscles that straighten the elbow joint.

Structure

The olecranon is situated at the proximal end of the ulna, one of the two bones in the forearm.^[1] 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 during extension of the forearm.^[2]^[3]

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.^[4]

Etymology

The word "olecranon" comes from the Greek olene, meaning elbow, and kranon, meaning head.^[5]^{[page needed]}

Additional images

Upper extremity of left ulna. Lateral aspect
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.

References

This article incorporates text in the public domain from page 214 of the 20th edition of Gray's Anatomy (1918)

^ Manaster, B. J.; Crim, Julia, eds. (2016-01-01), "Elbow Radiographic and Arthrographic Anatomy", Imaging Anatomy: Musculoskeletal (Second Edition), Philadelphia: Elsevier, pp. 200–213, doi:10.1016/b978-0-323-37756-0.50019-3, ISBN 978-0-323-37756-0, retrieved 2021-01-08
^ White, Tim D.; Black, Michael T.; Folkens, Pieter A. (2012-01-01), White, Tim D.; Black, Michael T.; Folkens, Pieter A. (eds.), "Chapter 2 - Anatomical Terminology", Human Osteology (Third Edition), San Diego: Academic Press, pp. 11–24, ISBN 978-0-12-374134-9, retrieved 2021-01-08
^ Ozgur, Sinan Emre; Giangarra, Charles E. (2018-01-01), Giangarra, Charles E.; Manske, Robert C. (eds.), "12 - Rehabilitation After Fractures of the Forearm and Elbow", Clinical Orthopaedic Rehabilitation: a Team Approach (Fourth Edition), Philadelphia: Elsevier, pp. 57–62.e1, ISBN 978-0-323-39370-6, retrieved 2021-01-08
^ Khan, SohaelMohammed; Mundada, Gaurav; Singhania, ShraddhaK; Gupta, Varun; Singh, PradeepK; Khan, Saherish (2017). "Type-I monteggia with ipsilateral fracture of distal radius epiphyseal injury: A rare case report". Annals of African Medicine. 16 (1): 30. doi:10.4103/aam.aam_55_16. ISSN 1596-3519. PMC 5452702. PMID 28300049.
^ Oxford dictionary of English. Soanes, Catherine., Stevenson, Angus. (2nd ed., rev. ed.). Oxford: Oxford University Press. 2005. ISBN 0-19-861057-2. OCLC 60512565.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: others (link)

External links

radiographsul at The Anatomy Lesson by Wesley Norman (Georgetown University) (xrayelbow)
"Anatomy diagram: 02240.008-1". Roche Lexicon - illustrated navigator. Elsevier. Archived from the original on 2012-07-22.