Elbow Joint

The elbow joint is formed by three bones: the humerus (upper arm), the radius and the ulna.

Complex Structure

The elbow joint permits the ulna and radius to be flexed and straightened like a pivot joint. The muscles along the outer border of the forearm are responsible for this.

The tendons transmit the power of the muscles to the bone. They consist of a firm, elastic connective tissue. If we repeatedly perform the same movement with a flexed elbow, the tense tendon continually rubs over the elbow bone. This leads to very fine tears and we feel the first twinges of pain in our elbow – at the epicondyle. This is a small bony prominence on the outside of the elbow.