Ultrasonography of the Elbow and Shoulder

Abstract

Ultrasonographic examination of the elbow and shoulder yields information about the soft tissue structures of elbow and shoulder joints, complementing the information that is obtained through radiography and nuclear scintigraphy. The elbow joint is formed by the articulation of the distal humerus with the radius and ulna. The lateral collateral ligament of the elbow joint is short; it originates from the lateral humeral condyle and inserts distally on the lateral tuberosity of the radius just distal to the joint margin. The ulnaris lateralis muscle originates proximal to the lateral epicondyle of the distal humerus, caudal and deep to the lateral collateral ligament; its tendon then courses caudal to the lateral collateral ligament. In horses, the biceps brachii muscle is characterized by an intramuscular tendon continuing to its distal tendon. The bicipital bursa is a potential space between the biceps brachii tendon and the proximal humerus.