title: The proximal ulna: An anatomic study with relevance to olecranon osteotomy and fracture fixation.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to define the proximal ulna anatomy with respect to olecranon osteotomy and fracture fixation. Thirty-nine cadaver elbows were dissected. The mean ulnar length (triceps insertion to ulnar styloid) was 26.0 cm (range, 27.1-29.0 cm). The mean distance from the triceps insertion to the ulna's varus angulation point was 7.6 cm (range, 6.5-9.0 cm). The distance ratio from the triceps insertion to the proximal ulnar angle to the overall ulna length was consistent, averaging 0.29 (range, 0.23-0.33). The mean diameter of the medullary canal at the ulnar angulation point could accommodate a 7.0- or 7.3-mm intramedullary screw. The mean width of the olecranon bare area (lacking articular cartilage) was 0.53 cm (range, 0.13-0.97 cm), and the mean distance from the triceps insertion to the corresponding area of the bare spot on the dorsal cortex was 2.1 cm (range, 1.4-2.5 cm).
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedics, University of Utah, 50 N Medical Dr, Salt Lake City, UT 84132, USA.
authors.forename: Angela A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mara
authors.forename: Douglas T
authors.initials: DT
authors.lastname: Hutchinson
mesh_terms: D002102:Cadaver; D005592:Fracture Fixation / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D010027:Osteotomy / Q000379:methods*; D014457:Ulna / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D014458:Ulna Fractures / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000601:surgery*