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Tuberosity of ulna

The tuberosity of the ulna is a prominent roughened area on the anterior surface of the proximal ulna, just distal to the coronoid process. It serves as an important site for muscular attachment and is a key anatomical landmark in the proximal forearm and elbow region.

It is particularly relevant in musculoskeletal anatomy, elbow imaging, trauma evaluation, and surgical approaches to the proximal ulna.

Synonyms

  • Ulnar tuberosity

  • Tuberositas ulnae

Location

  • Situated on the anterior surface of the proximal ulna

  • Immediately distal to the coronoid process

  • Inferior to the trochlear notch

  • Medial to the radial tuberosity

  • Forms part of the proximal forearm near the elbow joint

Anatomical components

  • Roughened osseous prominence

  • Cortical shell with underlying cancellous bone

  • Primary attachment site:

    • Tendon of the brachialis muscle

  • Contributes to the anterior contour of the proximal ulna

Relations

Anteriorly:

  • Brachialis tendon insertion

Posteriorly:

  • Ulna shaft

Medially:

  • Subcutaneous border of the ulna (proximal)

Laterally:

  • Radius and interosseous membrane (distal continuation)

Superiorly:

  • Coronoid process of the ulna

Inferiorly:

  • Proximal shaft of the ulna

X-ray appearance

Plain radiographs (AP and lateral elbow/forearm views):

  • Tuberosity: Appears as a subtle bony prominence on the anterior proximal ulna

  • Cortical outline: Slight irregularity or roughening compared to shaft

  • Best seen on: Lateral and oblique views

CT appearance

Non-contrast CT:

  • Tuberosity: Well-defined anterior osseous protuberance

  • Cortical margins: Smooth with localized roughening

  • Trabecular pattern: Normal cancellous bone texture

  • Spatial assessment: Excellent delineation of contour and attachment surface

MRI appearance

T1-weighted images:

  • Cortical bone: Low signal intensity

  • Marrow of proximal ulna: High signal intensity

  • Tuberosity contour: Clearly defined against adjacent soft tissues

T2-weighted images:

  • Cortex: Low signal

  • Adjacent soft tissues: Intermediate to high signal

  • Brachialis tendon: Low-signal band attaching at the tuberosity

STIR:

  • Marrow fat suppression: Uniform signal suppression

  • Attachment zone: Well visualized against suppressed marrow

  • Surrounding soft tissues: High signal contrast

Proton density fat-saturated (PD FS):

  • Bone marrow: Suppressed fat signal

  • Brachialis tendon insertion: Well delineated as low-signal structure

CT VRT 3D image

Tuberosity of ulna 3d

MRI image

Tuberosity of ulna mri anatomy labelled image-img-00000-00000