title: Gross anatomy of the elbow capsule: a cadaveric study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The elbow is an inherently stable joint because of its bony articulation and surrounding capsuloligamentous structures. Anatomic and biomechanical studies have focused on the medial and lateral collateral ligamentous contributions to stability. In 1918, Gray provided a qualitative description of the elbow capsule and its fibers. Our study was performed to detail the gross anatomy of the elbow capsule.
  
  
  METHODS
  We evaluated the elbow capsule of 6 paired, fresh-frozen cadaveric specimens to detail gross capsular anatomy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We identified 3 distinct bands within the anterior capsule and 3 distinct bands within the posterior capsule.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Further study is needed to delineate the functional meaning of these anatomic findings.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Greater understanding of elbow capsule gross anatomy may lead to improved understanding of acute and chronic elbow pathoanatomy and treatment modalities.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Ben Taub General Hospital, Houston, TX 77030, USA. leereichel@gmail.com
authors.forename: Lee M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Reichel
authors.forename: Omar A
authors.initials: OA
authors.lastname: Morales
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D004551:Elbow Joint / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D017746:Joint Capsule / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D008023:Ligaments, Articular / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D008297:Male