The medial epicondyle of the humerus is an
epicondyle
An epicondyle () is a rounded eminence on a bone that lies upon a condyle ('' epi-'', "upon" + ''condyle'', from a root meaning "knuckle" or "rounded articular area"). There are various epicondyles in the human skeleton, each named by its anatomic ...
of the
humerus
The humerus (; ) is a long bone in the arm that runs from the shoulder to the elbow. It connects the scapula and the two bones of the lower arm, the radius and ulna, and consists of three sections. The humeral upper extremity consists of a roun ...
bone of the upper arm in humans. It is larger and more prominent than the
lateral epicondyle and is directed slightly more posteriorly in the
anatomical position
The standard anatomical position, or standard anatomical model, is the scientifically agreed upon reference position for anatomical location terms. Standard anatomical positions are used to standardise the position of appendages of animals with ...
. In birds, where the arm is somewhat rotated compared to other
tetrapod
Tetrapods (; ) are four-limb (anatomy), limbed vertebrate animals constituting the superclass Tetrapoda (). It includes extant taxon, extant and extinct amphibians, sauropsids (reptiles, including dinosaurs and therefore birds) and synapsids (p ...
s, it is called the ventral epicondyle of the humerus. In
comparative anatomy
Comparative anatomy is the study of similarities and differences in the anatomy of different species. It is closely related to evolutionary biology and phylogeny (the evolution of species).
The science began in the classical era, continuing in ...
, the more neutral term entepicondyle is used.
The medial epicondyle gives attachment to the
ulnar collateral ligament of elbow joint
The ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) or internal lateral ligament is a thick triangular ligament at the medial aspect of the elbow uniting the distal aspect of the humerus to the proximal aspect of the ulna.
Structure
It consists of two port ...
, to the
pronator teres
The pronator teres is a muscle (located mainly in the forearm) that, along with the pronator quadratus, serves to pronate the forearm (turning it so that the palm faces posteriorly when from the anatomical position). It has two attachments, to ...
, and to a common tendon of origin (the
common flexor tendon) of some of the flexor muscles of the
forearm
The forearm is the region of the upper limb between the elbow and the wrist. The term forearm is used in anatomy to distinguish it from the arm, a word which is most often used to describe the entire appendage of the upper limb, but which in ...
: the
flexor carpi radialis, the
flexor carpi ulnaris, the
flexor digitorum superficialis
Flexor digitorum superficialis (''flexor digitorum sublimis'') is an extrinsic flexor muscle of the fingers at the proximal interphalangeal joints.
It is in the anterior compartment of the forearm. It is sometimes considered to be the deepest pa ...
, and the
palmaris longus. The medial epicondyle is located on the distal end of the humerus. Additionally, the medial epicondyle is inferior to the
medial supracondylar ridge
The inferior third of the medial border of the humerus is raised into a slight ridge, the medial supracondylar ridge (or medial supracondylar line), which becomes very prominent below; it presents an anterior lip for the origins of the Brachialis ...
. It is also proximal to the
olecranon fossa
The olecranon fossa is a deep triangular depression on the posterior side of the humerus, superior to the trochlea. It provides space for the olecranon of the ulna during extension of the forearm.
Structure
The olecranon fossa is located on ...
.
The medial epicondyle protects the
ulnar nerve
In human anatomy, the ulnar nerve is a nerve that runs near the ulna bone. The ulnar collateral ligament of elbow joint is in relation with the ulnar nerve. The nerve is the largest in the human body unprotected by muscle or bone, so injury is c ...
, which runs in a groove on the back of this epicondyle. The ulnar nerve is vulnerable because it passes close to the surface along the back of the bone. Striking the medial epicondyle causes a tingling sensation in the ulnar nerve. This response is known as striking the "funny bone". The name funny bone could be from a play on the words humorous and humerus, the bone on which the medial epicondyle is located, although according to the
Oxford English Dictionary
The ''Oxford English Dictionary'' (''OED'') is the first and foundational historical dictionary of the English language, published by Oxford University Press (OUP). It traces the historical development of the English language, providing a com ...
, it may refer to "the peculiar sensation experienced when it is struck".
Medial epicondyle fracture of the humerus
A medial epicondyle fracture is an avulsion injury to the medial epicondyle of the humerus; the prominence of bone on the inside of the elbow. Medial epicondyle fractures account for 10% elbow fractures in children. 25% of injuries are associated ...
are common when falling onto an outstretched hand.
Fractures
Medial epicondyle fractures are common elbow injuries in children. There is considerable controversy about their treatment, with uncertainty about whether surgery to restore the natural position of the bone is better than healing in a cast.
Additional images
File:HumerusFront.png, Left humerus. Anterior view.
File:Gray414.png, Front of the left forearm. Superficial muscles.
File:Gray419.png, Posterior surface of the forearm. Deep muscles.
File:Slide1bgbg.JPG, Elbow joint. Deep dissection. Posterior view.
File:Slide2bgbg.JPG, Elbow joint. Deep dissection. Posterior view.
File:Slide3bgbg.JPG, Elbow joint. Deep dissection. Posterior view.
References
External links
*
Slim Golf Blog - Treating & Preventing Golfer's Elbow* ()
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Upper limb anatomy
Humerus