The joint of the arm with the forearm is called the elbow.
The term elbow , which derives from the Latin word cubĭtus , has several meanings recognized by the dictionary of the Royal Spanish Academy ( RAE ). The most common use refers to the rear and protruding sector of the joint of the forearm with the arm .
It should be noted that the union, whether mobile or fixed, of one skeletal organ or bone with another is called a joint . In the specific case of the elbow, it joins the forearm (the area of the arm that extends from the wrist to this joint) with the rest of the arm (the extremity that goes from the tip of the hand to the shoulder).
How the elbow works
The elbow connects the humerus to the radius and ulna . The ends of the bones are linked by ligaments and are surrounded by the joint capsule that contains the synovium (a fluid that enables lubrication).
It can be said that the elbow is made up of three different joints : ulna-radius , humerus-ulna and radius-humerus . All three are found in the aforementioned joint capsule.
The elbow enables pronation, supination, flexion and extension movements that involve different muscles . Thanks to the intervention of various structures, the joint can withstand various types of force without causing dislocation or dislocation.
Injuries and illnesses
Various conditions can alter the normal functioning of the elbow, causing pain and limitation of movement. Arthritis , for example, is an inflammation that can have different origins.
Osteoarthritis is a degenerative disease that can affect the elbow, although it is rare in this part of the body. It can appear due to repeated trauma or the development of high intensity exercises.
Various disorders and diseases can cause elbow pain.
Some diseases are specifically associated with certain sporting activities. Epitrochleitis is colloquially known as golfer's elbow , since it is a tendinopathy that is generated by the repetition of movements usually performed by those who play golf .
In a similar sense, epicondylitis breaks out when typical tennis movements are repeated. That's why its colloquial name is tennis elbow .
The cubit as a unit of length
It is interesting to note that, in ancient times, the elbow was a unit of measurement equivalent to the distance between the extremity of the hand and the elbow joint . That is why it can be said that it is an anthropometric measurement.
The use of the unit entailed various drawbacks, the main ones being the lack of precision and the differences between one region and another. A cubit could measure from 38.4 to 64 centimeters depending on the country. In addition, a distinction was made between the vulgar cubit (which was measured with a closed fist) and the real cubit (with an open hand).
Synonym of stinginess
In the colloquial language of some nations, the stingy individual is mentioned as elbow or codito . It is said that the origin of the expression is found in the ancient custom of hiding a bag with coins under clothing, hanging it from the shoulder and squeezing it with the elbow so that it does not make noise and thus prevent theft. Tightening the elbow, then, was equivalent to protecting the money , while loosening it meant handing it over.
In this way, those who took care of their money began to be called a elbow. Over time it became associated with stinginess or greed : the elbow is one who exaggeratedly skimps on spending.