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Home › Body Atlas › Bones › Medial Epicondyle Apophyseal Space
Bone Upper Arm

Medial Epicondyle Apophyseal Space

spatium apophyseos epicondyli medialis

The medial epicondyle apophysis is the growth centre at the inner bony bump of the elbow, where the forearm flexor-pronator muscles and the ulnar collateral ligament attach. It appears at about 5-7 years and is usually the last elbow centre to fuse, at about 15-17 years. Until then its growth plate is the weak link, so repeated throwing or a fall can inflame it or pull it off.

Anatomical Data

Structure & Landmarks

Articulations
  • None; extra-articular attachment site
Landmarks
  • Common flexor-pronator origin
  • Origin of the ulnar collateral ligament
  • Ulnar nerve groove behind it
OssificationSecondary centre appears at about 5-7 years and is usually the last elbow centre to fuse, at about 15-17 years.
Clinical Relevance

Clinical Notes

Medial epicondyle avulsion in children occurs from acute valgus elbow injury or from the chronic repetitive valgus stress of little league elbow. The apophysis may be trapped in the joint (incarcerated) following elbow dislocation, requiring urgent open reduction. The apophyseal ossification centre appears at 5-7 years, before this age the medial epicondyle cannot be avulsed.

Pathology

Common Injuries & Conditions

Medial Epicondyle Apophysis Avulsion

Acute avulsion of the medial epicondyle apophysis from valgus injury or elbow dislocation producing medial elbow pain and tenderness in a child or adolescent, requiring surgical fixation when displaced or incarcerated in the joint.

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