Canine Elbow Joint

Question 1

What type of joint is the elbow joint?

Answer 1

Hinge joint

Flexion and extension

Question 2

What is the most common forelimb joint involved in lameness?

Answer 2

Elbow

Question 3

Name the ligaments supporting the elbow

Answer 3

Lateral collateral
Medial collateral
Annular

Question 4

Location of lateral collateral ligament

Answer 4

Lateral epicondyle to lateral radial head and lateral ulna

Question 5

Location of medial collateral ligament

Answer 5

Medial epicondyle to medial radial head

Question 6

Location of annular ligament

Answer 6

Encircles radial head and attaches to the coronoid process

Question 7

Name the three main articulations of the canine elbow joint

Answer 7

Humeroradial
Humeroulnar
Proximal radioulnar

Question 8

Which articulation of the canine elbow joint bears the most weight?

Answer 8

Humeroradial

Question 9

What is the role of the humeroulnar articulation of the elbow joint?

Answer 9

Resist lateral movement

Question 10

What is the role of the proximal radioulnar articulation?

Answer 10

allows rotational movement of antebrachium

Question 11

What do the three main articulations of the canine elbow joint share?

Answer 11

One synovial space

Question 12

What can the elbow joint synovial space be divided into and by what?

Answer 12

Divided into lateral and medial compartment

By the trochlear notch

Question 13

Which compartment of the elbow joint is most problematic and why?

Answer 13

Medial compartment due to the medial coronoid process

Question 14

Name the three main areas of the elbow joint

Answer 14

Trochlear notch
Medial coronoid process
Olecranon

Question 15

Name the three areas of elbow joint incongruence

Answer 15

Trochlear notch misshapen
Radius and ulna length discrepancy
Radial incisure

Question 16

Describe a misshapen trochlear notch

Answer 16

Notch doesn’t fit humeral trochlea

No smooth circle shape in the joint

Question 17

What is the most common cause of lameness in dogs?

Answer 17

Medial coronoid process problems

Question 18

How does the medial coronoid process cause problems?

Answer 18

Process sticks up into the joint, disrupting the smooth joint shape
Causes incongruence of the joint
Unequal load sharing between the radius and ulna

Question 19

What does a normal loading of joint surfaces lead to?

Answer 19

Stress fractures of medial coronoid process
Oesteochondrosis dissedans of humeral head
Lameness
Leading cause of elbow arthritis

Question 20

How does osteoarthritis occur?

Answer 20

Wear and tear to articular cartilage 
Replacement with fibrocartilage
Production of osteophytes
Increase in joint fluid volumes
Increased water content

Question 21

Name the elbow flexors

Answer 21

Biceps brachii

Brachialis

Question 22

What is the innervation of the biceps brachii?

Answer 22

Musculocutaneous nerve

Question 23

Innervation of the brachialis

Answer 23

Musculocutaneous nerve

Question 24

Name the elbow extensors

Answer 24

Triceps brachii

Anconeus

Question 25

Name the triceps brachii heads

Answer 25

Long Lateral Accessory Medial

Question 26

Where do all the triceps heads insert?

Answer 26

Olecranon process

Question 27

Location of anconeus

Answer 27

Olecranon to lateral condylar ridge

Question 28

Location of long triceps brachii head

Answer 28

Caudal scapular

Question 29

Which triceps head can’t really be seen?

Answer 29

Accessory

Question 30

Describe elbow dysplasia

Answer 30

Condition occurring when shape of elbow joint disrupted by mismatched growth of radius and ulna

Question 31

Innervation of elbow flexors

Answer 31

Musculocutaneous nerve

Question 32

Innervation of elbow extensors

Answer 32

Radial nerve