The Radioulnar Joints

Proximal Radioulnar Joint

The proximal radioulnar joint is located immediately distal to the elbow joint, and is enclosed with in the same articular capsule. It is formed by an articulation between the head of the radius and the radial notch of the ulna.

The radial head is held in place by the annular radial ligament, which forms a ‘collar’ around the joint. The annular radial ligament is lined with a synovial membrane, reducing friction during movement.

Movement is produced by the head of the radius rotating within the annular ligament. There are two movements possible at this joint; pronation and supination.

• Pronation – produced by the pronator quadratus and pronator teres.
• Supination – produced by the supinator and biceps brachii.

By TeachMeSeries Ltd (2026)

Fig 2
Articulating surfaces of the proximal radioulnar joint.

Distal Radioulnar Joint

This distal radioulnar joint is located just proximally to the wrist joint. It is an articulation between the ulnar notch of the radius, and the ulnar head.

In addition to anterior and posterior ligaments strengthening the joint, there is also a fibrocartilaginous ligament present, called the articular disk. It serves two functions:

• Binds the radius and ulna together, and holds them together during movement at the joint.
• Separates the distal radioulnar joint from the wrist joint.

Like the proximal radioulnar joint, this is a pivot joint, allowing for pronation and supination. The ulnar notch of the radius slides anteriorly over the head of the ulnar during such movements.

• Pronation – produced by the pronator quadratus and pronator teres.
• Supination – produced by the supinator and biceps brachii.

By TeachMeSeries Ltd (2026)

Fig 3
Articular surfaces of the distal radioulnar and wrist joints.

Interosseous Membrane

The interosseous membrane is a sheet of connective tissue that joins the radius and ulna together between the radioulnar joints.

It spans the distance between the medial radial border, and the lateral ulnar border. There are small holes in the sheet, as a conduit for the forearm vasculature.

This connective tissue sheet has three major functions:

• Holds the radius and ulna together during pronation and supination of the forearm, providing addition stability.
• Acts as a site of attachment for muscles in the anterior and posterior compartments of the forearm.
• Transfers forces from the radius to the ulna.

Clinical Relevance

Fractures to the Radius and Ulna

Although the radius and ulnar are two distinct and separate bones, when dealing with injuries to the forearm, they can be thought of as a ring.

A ring, when broken, usually breaks in two places. The best way of illustrating with is with a polo mint – it is very difficult to break one side without breaking the other.

This means that a fracture to the radius or the ulna usually causes a fracture or dislocation of the other bone. There are two classical fractures:

• Monteggia fracture – fracture of the proximal ulna AND dislocation of the radial head at the proximal radioulnar joint.
• Galeazzi fracture – fracture of the distal radius AND dislocation of the ulnar head at the distal radioulnar joint.

By TeachMeSeries Ltd (2026)

Fig 4
The ring structure of the forearm bones.