Abstract
Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging provides clinically useful information in assessing
the elbow joint. Superior depiction of muscles, ligaments and tendons as well as the
ability to directly visualize nerves, bone marrow and hyaline cartilage, are advantages
of MR imaging relative to conventional imaging techniques. As the elbow is located
superficially, clinical examination is easier for the orthopedic surgeon and only
a few cases need a diagnosis for the radiologist, for this reason the elbow joint
is little known for the radiologist. To better understand the injuries that occur
in the elbow during the sport activities, we need a better understanding of the biomechanics
of the joint. And for understanding the biomechanics, it is necessary to know the
exact anatomy of the elbow joint and to be able to identify each anatomic structure
in the different imaging planes and pulse sequences. This is especially important
in MR as the imaging tool that shows a highest soft tissue resolution among other
imaging techniques.
Keywords
elbow - anatomy - elbow MR - elbow ultrasound - elbow biomechanics
