title: Soft-tissue stabilizers of the elbow.
abstract: Elbow stability is afforded by both static and dynamic structures. Static structures include the complex bony architecture and soft-tissue stabilizers. Knowledge of the anatomy and biomechanics of the stabilizers is important to understand, diagnose, and treat elbow instability. Bony anatomy, detailed elsewhere, contributes to the inherent stability of the elbow. The static soft-tissue stabilizers consist of the anterior and posterior joint capsule and both medial and lateral collateral ligament complexes. Additional stability is conferred by dynamic structures--the muscles crossing the elbow joint.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of California-San Francisco, 500 Parnassus Avenue, MU 320 West, San Francisco, CA 94143-0728, USA. safranm@orthosurg.ucsf.edu
authors.forename: Marc R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Safran
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Baillargeon
mesh_terms: D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D004551:Elbow Joint / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008023:Ligaments, Articular / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular