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Anconeus
Other Terms:
Musculus anconeus,
Muscle anconé
Muscle parts
None
Latin muscle parts
None
Group
Antebrachial muscle – posterior compartment – lateral group
Etymology
In English, this muscle’s name is the muscle of the elbow. This term has an interesting history. The Old English term ancon was used to refer to the head of the elbow. This was derived from the Greek term agkon meaning “elbow,” which came from the Greek term ankulos meaning “crooked or curved,” referring to the crooked, or curved, look of the proximal end of the ulna.
Origin
Posterior surface of the lateral epicondyle of the humerus
Insertion
Lateral surface of the olecranon and the proximal shaft of the ulna
Action
Extends the elbow – assists the triceps brachii with extension of the elbow. Probably aids in pronation of the antebrachium by abducting the ulna during the pronation movement. It has been postulated that this is necessary for smooth pronation of the forearm around the middle finger, without medial translation. However, studies show it to be equally active during supination, which would negate it as an abductor of the ulna. It more likely functions as an important elbow stabilizer, with the medial head of the triceps, during supination and pronation.
Nerve supply
Radial nerve (C7, C8, and T1)
Blood supply
Interosseous recurrent branch of the posterior interosseous artery; middle collateral branch of the brachial profunda artery.
Latin
Musculus anconeus
French
Muscle anconé