Medial Elbow Anatomy and Surgical Approach

  The medial sulcus of the biceps muscle is continued superior to the medial epicondyle of the humerus, with the medial head of the triceps posteriorly and the biceps anteriorly.  The anterior wall flexors start from the medial epicondyle towards the forearm, and from top to bottom they are the pronator teres, radial carpal flexors, palmaris longus and superficial finger flexors.  The ulnar carpal flexor muscle starts from the medial epicondyle and hawk’s jaw with a bicep and is located subcutaneously on the medial edge of the forearm.  Posterior to the medial epicondyle is the ulnar nerve sulcus.  The superior vein runs along the medial side of the forearm slightly posteriorly and joins the median vein of the elbow anterior to the medial epicondyle.  The medial cutaneous nerve of the arm is distributed on the medial aspect of the lower third of the arm.  The medial cutaneous nerve of the forearm is divided into three branches: the ulnar branch, the medial branch of the anterior branch, and the lateral branch.  The ulnar nerve emanates from the elbow: the elbow branch, the ulnar carpal flexor branch, and the deep finger flexor branch.  Medial elbow approach: The skin and fascia are incised and the medial forearm cutaneous nerve and the guillotine vein are visible. The deep fascia is removed, the ulnar nerve is pulled anteriorly, the brachialis and forearm flexor muscles are stripped and pulled anteriorly, and the medial head of the triceps and ulnar carpal flexor muscles are stripped posteriorly to clearly show the medial epicondylar medial arm septum, medial condyle, and ulnar collateral ligament.