The ulna acts as the stabilising bone, with the radius pivoting to produce movement. Proximally, the ulna articulates with the humerus at the elbow joint. Distally, the ulna articulates with the radius, forming the distal radio-ulnar joint.
The ulna, along with the larger and stronger radius, makes up the forearm. Being longer and thinner, the ulna is often more easily fractured as a result of trauma.
Common Names of Bones and Processes
| A | B |
|---|
| Sternum | Breastbone |
| Tarsals | Ankle |
| Tibia | Shin bone (larger of two lower leg bones) |
| Ulna | Lower arm bone (little finger side) |
The radius and the ulna constitute as the bones of the forearm. The antebrachial region, as it is clinically known, spans the length of the region which extends roughly from elbow to wrist. With all of the 20 muscles of the forearm they support, these bones are essential for the functioning of the upper extremity.
Some causes of ulnar wrist pain include: Wrist fractures. Arthritis of the joint(s) between bones. Ulnar impaction syndrome (when the ulna is longer than the radius, which can cause it to “bump into” the smaller wrist bones (Figure 2)
Muscles
- Pronator teres – the medial surface of the coronoid process.
- Flexor carpi ulnaris – olecranon process.
- Flexor digitorum superficialis – coronoid process.
- Flexor digitorum profundus – anteromedial surface.
- Pronator quadratus – distal anterior shaft.
- Extensor carpi ulnaris – posterior border.
- Supinator – proximal ulna.
Ulnar Shortening Osteotomy and its ComplicationsOver time this pain can reduce grip strength, causes numbness or pain, and reduce the range of motion of the wrist to nil. If these complications become severe and conventional treatment options do not help, doctors will typically recommend ulnar shortening surgery.
The first sensation felt when the radius and ulna are fractured is immediate and intense pain in the forearm. When you look at the forearm there may be an obvious bump or deformity caused by the displacement of the bones. Other symptoms may include: reduced range of movement.
Many muscles in the arm and forearm attach to the ulna to perform movements of the arm, hand and wrist. Movement of the ulna is essential to such everyday functions as throwing a ball and driving a car. The ulna extends through the forearm from the elbow to the wrist, narrowing significantly towards its distal end.
The ulna is a long bone found in the forearm that stretches from the elbow to the smallest finger, and when in anatomical position, is found on the medial side of the forearm. It runs parallel to the radius, the other long bone in the forearm.
The triceps brachii gets its name because it contains three muscle 'heads' or points of origin.
The shin and the forearm each have two bones. The forearm bones are the radius and the ulna. The weight bearing bones of the forearm and shin are the radius and the tibia which are larger bones than their counterparts.
An ulna fracture is a break in the ulna bone, one of the two bones in the forearm. It is often associated with a fracture of the other forearm bone, the radius.
The posterior and superior portions of the proximal ulna make up the olecranon process, which forms the bony tip of the elbow. Figure 6.44.
The lateral, distal end of the ulna is the head of the ulna. It articulates with the ulnar notch on the radius and with the triangular articular disc in the Wrist Joint.
It is a congenital subluxation or dislocation of the ulna's distal end, due to malformation of the bones. Sometimes, minor abnormalities of other bone structures, often caused by disease or injury, such as a fracture of the distal end of the radius with upward displacement of the distal fragment.
The following measurements were taken: maximum humeral length (mean: 33.4cm in males; 30.7cm in females), vertical humeral head diameter (mean: 5.0cm in males, 4.4cm in females), humeral epicondylar width (mean: 6.6cm in males; 5.8cm in females), maximum ulnar length (mean: 26.5cm in males, 23.8cm in females), proximal
Introduction to the Radius and Ulna Bones Anatomyulna bone (os ulna) supports the medial (little finger) side.
There's a bony projection at the end of the ulna, near your hand, called the ulnar styloid process. It fits into the cartilage of your wrist joint and plays an important role in the strength and flexibility of your wrist and forearm. Any sort of break in this area is called an ulnar styloid fracture.
