Definitions

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.

  • noun The large process on the upper end of the ulna that projects behind the elbow joint and forms the point of the elbow.

from The Century Dictionary.

  • noun A process forming the upper or proximal end of the ulna.

from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.

  • noun (Anat.) The large process at the proximal end of the ulna which projects behind the articulation with the humerus and forms the bony prominence of the elbow.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • noun anatomy The bony process at the top of the ulna forming the point of the elbow.

from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.

  • noun process of the ulna that forms the outer bump of the elbow and fits into the fossa of the humerus when the arm is extended

Etymologies

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 4th Edition

[Greek ōlekrānon : ōlenē, elbow; see el- in Indo-European roots + krānion, skull, head; see ker- in Indo-European roots.]

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License

Greek origin: Olene meaning 'elbow' and 'kranion' is head.

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Examples

  • —The olecranon is a large, thick, curved eminence, situated at the upper and back part of the ulna.

    II. Osteology. 6a. 4. The Ulna 1918

  • Zumaya fractured his right olecranon, which is the bony tip of the elbow right under the skin.

    NBCSports.com: Sports 2010

  • The official diagnosis is a fractured right olecranon, which is the bony tip of the elbow right under the skin.

    Lubbock Online | Lubbock Avalanche-Journal 2010

  • On the back of the olecranon is a smooth triangular subcutaneous surface, and running down the back of the forearm from the apex of this triangle the prominent dorsal border of the ulna can be felt in its whole length: it has a sinuous outline, and is situated in the middle of the back of the limb above; but below, where it is rounded off, it can be traced to the small subcutaneous surface of the styloid process on the medial side of the wrist.

    XII. Surface Anatomy and Surface Markings. 11. Surface Anatomy of the Upper Extremity 1918

  • There is also a possibility of permanent nerve damage of the Ulnar nerve, because it runs through a groove on the olecranon and in most cases, has to be moved out of the way in order to reach the bone to put in metal hardware to fix the break.

    How will Clinton's surgery affect her job? 2009

  • An olecranon break is painful and will take occupational therapy rehabilitation.

    How will Clinton's surgery affect her job? 2009

  • Dr. Johnson says if this is what he called an olecranon fracture -- now, that's one affecting the bone on the pinky ringer side -- the pinky finger side of the forearm, right here, then she could be able to travel -- Wolf, this kind of break in this area right here, by this side of the forearm, which is up near the elbow, shouldn't be serious enough to keep her from traveling.

    CNN Transcript Jun 18, 2009 2009

  • In the humerus, drill-mangabeys, drills and mandrills share a notably broad deltoid plane, a proximally extended supinator crest, a broad flange for the brachialis, and a narrow olecranon process with a deep lateral ridge, and there are also characters in the radius and ulna that unite these monkeys to the exclusion of their close relatives.

    Archive 2006-06-01 Darren Naish 2006

  • Reduction is to be effected by separating (the bones) as much as possible, so that the end (of the humerus) may not come in contact with the olecranon, and it is to be carried up, and turned round, and not forced in a straight line, and, at the same time, the opposite sides are to be pushed together, and propelled into their proper place.

    On The Articulations 2007

  • When the elbow-joint is displaced or dislocated to the side or outward, while its sharp point (olecranon?) remains in the cavity of the humerus, extension is to be made in a straight line, and the projecting part is to be pushed backward and to the side.

    On The Articulations 2007

Comments

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  • More power to your elbow!

    February 1, 2008

  • Funny bone.

    March 2, 2009

  • I don't get it :(

    March 2, 2009

  • Pro, "funny bone" is the vernacular name for the olecranon, that part of the elbow which gives you a funny (wierd) feeling when you accidentally knock it against something.

    March 2, 2009

  • "The trouble was obvious enough; he had dislocated the elbow, and while the dislocation had fortunately reduced itself, I thought he had torn a tendon, which was now caught between the olecranon process and the head of the ulna, the injury being thus aggravated by movement of the arm."

    —Diana Gabaldon, The Fiery Cross (NY: Bantam Dell, 2001), 88

    January 19, 2010

  • I wasn't familiar with this use of process.

    November 18, 2014

  • Splinted and pinned I reflect upon

    My sorely insulted olecranon.

    High spirits are penned

    Till my elbow can bend

    In tribute to merry Anacreon.

    June 1, 2015