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Topic

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Radial fossa

The radial fossa is a shallow depression located on the anterior surface of the distal humerus, just above the capitulum. It accommodates the head of the radius during elbow flexion and plays a role in facilitating smooth articulation between the humerus and radius.

It is an important anatomical landmark in elbow anatomy, trauma evaluation, and cross-sectional imaging of the elbow joint.

Synonyms

  • Fovea radialis

  • Radial depression of the humerus

Location

  • Situated on the anterior aspect of the distal humerus

  • Immediately superior to the capitulum

  • Lateral to the coronoid fossa

  • Anterior to the lateral epicondyle

  • Forms part of the anterior distal humeral surface

Anatomical components

  • Shallow osseous concavity

  • Thin cortical bone forming the floor of the fossa

  • Articular relationship:

    • Receives the radial head during elbow flexion

  • Non-articular surface:

    • Lined by synovium but does not directly form a joint surface

Relations

Anteriorly:

  • Anterior joint capsule of the elbow

Posteriorly:

  • Capitulum of the humerus

Medially:

  • Coronoid fossa

Laterally:

  • Lateral supracondylar ridge

Inferiorly:

  • Capitulum and radial head (during flexion)

Superiorly:

  • Distal humeral metaphysis

X-ray appearance

Plain radiographs (AP and lateral elbow views):

  • Radial fossa: Appears as a shallow radiolucent area above the capitulum

  • Best visualized on: Lateral view

  • Cortical margins: Smooth and well-defined

  • Relationship: Seen just superior to the capitulum

CT appearance

Non-contrast CT:

  • Radial fossa: Clearly defined shallow depression in the distal humerus

  • Cortical margins: Thin but sharply outlined

  • Trabecular pattern: Normal cancellous bone

  • Spatial assessment: Excellent for evaluating depth, shape, and subtle cortical irregularities

  • Relationship to capitulum: Well demonstrated

MRI appearance

T1-weighted images:

  • Cortical bone: Low signal intensity

  • Marrow of distal humerus: High signal intensity

  • Radial fossa contour: Clearly delineated

T2-weighted images:

  • Cortex: Low signal

  • Joint fluid: High signal outlining the fossa when present

  • Synovial lining: Thin intermediate-to-high signal layer

STIR:

  • Fat suppression: Uniform suppression of marrow fat

  • Fossa margins: Well visualized

  • Joint and capsular structures: Bright signal

Proton density fat-saturated (PD FS):

  • Bone marrow: Suppressed fat signal

  • Joint fluid: High signal

  • Articular relationships: Clearly seen between the radial head and capitulum

CT VRT 3D image

Radial fossa 3d image

MRI image

Radial fossa mri anatomy labelled image-img-00000-00000

CT image

Radial fossa ct anatomy labelled image-img-00000-00000