
The proximal radioulnar joint is located immediately distal to the elbow joint, and is enclosed with in the same articular capsule. It is formed by an articulation between the head of the radius and the radial notch of the ulna. The radial head is held in place by the annular radial ligament, which forms a ‘collar’ around the joint.
What kind of joint is a radioulnar joint?
The radioulnar joints are two joints between the two bones of the forearm: the ulna, on the medial side, and the radius, on the lateral side. There’s one superior, or proximal radioulnar joint, and one inferior, or distal radioulnar joint, and together they allow for the movements of pronation and supination.
What type of joint is the between ulna and radius?
Ulna bone markings
- Proximal ulna. The ulna is a long bone that helps stabilize the antebrachial region from the medial side of the forearm.
- Ulnar shaft. The shaft of the ulna is tapered distally and thicker around the neck and proximal portion. ...
- Distal ulna. ...
What is radioulnar joints and which type of movement occurs?
- The superior surface of the radial head rotates against the capitulum of humerus
- The ridge of the radial head glides against the groove between the capitulum and trochlea of humerus
- The head of radius tilts laterally and inferiorly in the transverse plane
What type of synovial joint is proximal radius-ulna?
The proximal radioulnar joint is a pivot type synovial joint between the circumference of the head of the radius and the ring formed by the radial notch of the ulna and the annular ligament.

What are proximal and distal radioulnar joints?
The proximal and distal radioulnar joints form a unique articular arrangement between the radius and ulna, allowing pivot motion of the forearm and positioning the hand in space.
What movements can the radioulnar joint do?
The distal radioulnar joint is a synovial joint between the distal ends of the radius and ulna. This is a uniaxial pivot joint that allows the movements in one degree of freedom; pronation-supination.
What does the distal radioulnar joint do?
The distal radioulnar joint (DRUJ) is responsible for the integrity of the articulation between the distal radius and distal ulna; this is important in both supination and pronation of the forearm, as well as anteroposterior translational stability.
What motion occurs at the proximal radioulnar joint?
pronation-supinationThe proximal radioulnar joint is a uniaxial joint, allowing movements in one degree of freedom; pronation-supination. In humans, this movement is unique for the upper limb.
What makes up the proximal radioulnar joint?
The proximal radioulnar joint is a pivot type synovial joint between the circumference of the head of the radius and the ring formed by the radial notch of the ulna and the annular ligament.
Why is the proximal and distal radioulnar joint so important?
The radioulnar joints are two joints between the two bones of the forearm: the ulna, on the medial side, and the radius, on the lateral side. There's one superior, or proximal radioulnar joint, and one inferior, or distal radioulnar joint, and together they allow for the movements of pronation and supination.
What movements occur at the distal radioulnar joint?
Movements. —The movements in the distal radioulnar articulation consist of rotation of the lower end of the radius around an axis which passes through the center of the head of the ulna. When the radius rotates forward, pronation of the forearm and hand is the result; and when backward, supination.
What is distal radioulnar joint injury?
Distal radioulnar joint instability is the abnormal orientation or movement of the radius and ulna bones at the wrist in relation to one another. Injury to the tendons, ligaments and/or muscles stabilizing the joint may cause partial or complete dislocation.
What movements are allowed by distal radioulnar joint?
Movements. —The movements in the distal radioulnar articulation consist of rotation of the lower end of the radius around an axis which passes through the center of the head of the ulna. When the radius rotates forward, pronation of the forearm and hand is the result; and when backward, supination.
What motions occur at the radioulnar joint quizlet?
During the movements of elbow flexion and extension, the concave surface of the trochlear notch of the ulna glides along the convex trochlea of the humerus. Simultaneously, at the humeroradial joint, the concave head of the radius glides along the convex capitulum of the ulna.
What movements occur at the wrist joint?
The wrist joint also referred to as the radiocarpal joint is a condyloid synovial joint of the distal upper limb that connects and serves as a transition point between the forearm and hand. A condyloid joint is a modified ball and socket joint that allows for flexion, extension, abduction, and adduction movements.
What are the two movements of the forearm?
Rotation of the forearm is referred to as pronation and supination. Pronation puts the palm of the hand down, and supination brings it up. To remember which is which, remember supination has “up” in it. At the wrist, this is flexion, this is extension.
Where are the radioulnar joints located?
The radioulnar joints are two locations in which the radius and ulna articulate in the forearm: Proximal radioulnar joint – located near the elbow. It is articulation between the head of the radius and the radial notch of the ulna. Distal radioulnar joint – located near the wrist.
Which joint is pivot?
Separates the distal radioulnar joint from the wrist joint. Like the proximal radioulnar joint, this is a pivot joint, allowing for pronation and supination. The ulnar notch of the radius slides anteriorly over the head of the ulnar during such movements.
What is the radial head held in place by?
The radial head is held in place by the annular radial ligament, which forms a ‘collar’ around the joint. The annular radial ligament is lined with a synovial membrane, reducing friction during movement. Movement is produced by the head of the radius rotating within the annular ligament.
How is the radial head formed?
It is formed by an articulation between the head of the radius and the radial notch of the ulna. The radial head is held in place by the annular radial ligament, which forms a 'collar' around the joint. The annular radial ligament is lined with a synovial membrane, reducing friction during movement.
What is the interosseous membrane?
The interosseous membrane is a sheet of connective tissue that joins the radius and ulna together between the radioulnar joints. It spans the distance between the medial radial border, and the lateral ulnar border. There are small holes in the sheet, as a conduit for the forearm vasculature.
What muscles are involved in the rotation of the head of the radius?
Movement. Rotatory movements of the head of the radius within the collar formed by the annular ligament and the radial notch, allowing supination (primarily by the action of the biceps brachii and supinator muscles) and pronation (by the action of pronator teres and pronator quadratus muscles). See movements of the forearm.
What is the proximal radioulnar joint?
The proximal radioulnar joint is a pivot type synovial joint between the circumference of the head of the radius and the ring formed by the radial notch of the ulna and the annular ligament.
What is annular ligament?
Ligaments. The annular ligament is a strong ligament attached to the anterior and posterior aspects of the radial notch of the ulna. It (along with the radial notch of the ulna) encircles the head of the radius.
