What is a capitellum fracture?
What is a capitellum fracture?
Capitellum Fractures are traumatic intra-articular elbow injuries involving the distal humerus at the capitellum.
What is the capitellum of the humerus?
The capitellum, also referred to as the capitulum, is the lateral part of the humeral condyle that articulates with the radial head.
What articulates with capitulum of humerus?
Anatomical Parts The lateral portion of the articular surface of humerus consists of a smooth, rounded eminence, named the capitulum of the humerus; it articulates with the cupshaped depression on the head of the radius, and is limited to the front and lower part of the bone.
What is Lopresti injury?
Essex-Lopresti injuries (ELIs) are characterized by fracture of the radial head, disruption of the forearm interosseous membrane, and dislocation of the distal radioulnar joint. This injury pattern results in axial and longitudinal instability of the forearm.
What is OCD of the elbow?
Osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) is a disorder of articular cartilage and subchondral bone. In the elbow, an OCD is localized most commonly at the humeral capitellum. Teenagers engaged in sports that involve repetitive stress on the elbow are at risk.
Is the head of the humerus medial or lateral?
Proximal Landmarks The upper end of the humerus consists of the head. This faces medially, upwards and backwards and is separated from the greater and lesser tuberosities by the anatomical neck. The greater tuberosity is located laterally on the humerus and has anterior and posterior surfaces.
Is the trochlea part of the humerus?
The medial portion of the articular surface of distal humerus is named the trochlea, and presents a deep depression between two well-marked borders; it is convex from before backward, concave from side to side, and occupies the anterior, lower, and posterior parts of the extremity.
What is the function of the capitulum of the humerus?
Anatomical terms of bone In human anatomy of the arm, the capitulum of the humerus is a smooth, rounded eminence on the lateral portion of the distal articular surface of the humerus. It articulates with the cupshaped depression on the head of the radius, and is limited to the front and lower part of the bone.
What is the top part of the humerus called?
Is the humerus distal or proximal?
The humerus articulates with the scapula at the shoulder and with the radius and ulna at the elbow. The humerus is typically described as having a proximal region, shaft, and distal region. Both the anatomical and surgical neck of the humerus are highly susceptible to fracture.
Why is it called a chauffeur’s fracture?
The name originates from early chauffeurs, who sustained these injuries when the car back-fired while the chauffeur was hand-cranking to start the car. The back-fire forced the crank backward into the chauffeur’s palm and produced the characteristic styloid fracture.
Is there such a thing as a capitellum fracture?
Capitellum fractures are uncommon, but their prompt diagnosis and management are crucial due to the severity of the consequent functional impairment resulting from these intra-articular elbow fractures. Capitellar fractures are relatively rare, with approximately 3-4% of distal humerus fractures falling into this category 1 .
How often do capitellar fractures occur in the hand?
Capitellar fractures are relatively rare, with approximately 3-4% of distal humerus fractures falling into this category 1 . Direct axial compression force applied to the elbow or fall to an outstretched hand are the most common injury mechanisms.
What is the function of the capitellum in the humerus?
The capitellum represents the distal extension of the lateral column of the humerus. The spherical shape of the capitellum articulates with the concave radial head. The matching contour and intervening cartilage provide load transmission and proximal radioulnar joint stability.
Where is the radial fossa located in the capitellum?
The radial fossa lies just above the capitellum, and the radial head approximates into this depression during full flexion. The radial head articulates with the anterior surface of the capitellum when the elbow is positioned in flexion. The contact area shifts to the inferior surface of the capitellum during elbow extension.