Vol 65, No 1 (2006)
Original article
Submitted: 2012-02-06
Published online: 2005-12-05
The subanconeus muscle
R.S. Tubbs, W.J. Oakes, E.G. Salter
Folia Morphol 2006;65(1):22-25.
Vol 65, No 1 (2006)
ORIGINAL ARTICLES
Submitted: 2012-02-06
Published online: 2005-12-05
Abstract
There is a paucity of information in the extant literature regarding the detailed
anatomy of the subanconeus (articularis cubiti) muscle. Our current study seeks
to elucidate further the presence, morphology, and potential function of this
muscle. Eighteen cadaveric upper extremities underwent dissection of their posterior
elbow joint capsule with special attention to any fibres attaching to it from
the triceps brachii muscle. We found that all specimens had various amounts of
muscular attachment of the medial head of the triceps into the posterior joint
capsule. It was noted that the highest concentration of fibres was into the joint
capsule near the groove for the ulnar nerve. No specimen was found to have
a distinct muscle belly associated with these connections to the joint capsule.
On all sides these fibres were simply deeper attachments of the medial head of
the triceps brachii muscle. Following tension on these deeper fibres retraction of
the joint capsule was not noted but rather compression of the capsule. We
would speculate on the basis of our study that these fibres of the medial head of
the triceps brachii muscle do not represent a separate muscle per se and do not
retract the posterior elbow joint capsule with extension of the forearm as has
been theorised. It is possible that compression of the posterior elbow joint capsule
from these deeply placed fibres of the triceps brachii restricts the elbow fat
pad from being displaced and allows it to cushion the contact made between
the olecranon process and the olecranon fossa.
Abstract
There is a paucity of information in the extant literature regarding the detailed
anatomy of the subanconeus (articularis cubiti) muscle. Our current study seeks
to elucidate further the presence, morphology, and potential function of this
muscle. Eighteen cadaveric upper extremities underwent dissection of their posterior
elbow joint capsule with special attention to any fibres attaching to it from
the triceps brachii muscle. We found that all specimens had various amounts of
muscular attachment of the medial head of the triceps into the posterior joint
capsule. It was noted that the highest concentration of fibres was into the joint
capsule near the groove for the ulnar nerve. No specimen was found to have
a distinct muscle belly associated with these connections to the joint capsule.
On all sides these fibres were simply deeper attachments of the medial head of
the triceps brachii muscle. Following tension on these deeper fibres retraction of
the joint capsule was not noted but rather compression of the capsule. We
would speculate on the basis of our study that these fibres of the medial head of
the triceps brachii muscle do not represent a separate muscle per se and do not
retract the posterior elbow joint capsule with extension of the forearm as has
been theorised. It is possible that compression of the posterior elbow joint capsule
from these deeply placed fibres of the triceps brachii restricts the elbow fat
pad from being displaced and allows it to cushion the contact made between
the olecranon process and the olecranon fossa.
Keywords
elbow; joint; triceps brachii; articular
Title
The subanconeus muscle
Journal
Folia Morphologica
Issue
Vol 65, No 1 (2006)
Article type
Original article
Pages
22-25
Published online
2005-12-05
Page views
539
Article views/downloads
4336
Bibliographic record
Folia Morphol 2006;65(1):22-25.
Keywords
elbow
joint
triceps brachii
articular
Authors
R.S. Tubbs
W.J. Oakes
E.G. Salter
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