[Anatomic characteristics pf the elbow joint of the cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus)]

Anatomical structures of elbow joints of six cheetahs were examined by dissection, corrosion casts and radiography. As a result, it was observed that the distal end of humerus is divided into the trochlea humeri for articulation with the ulna and the capitulum humeri for articulation with the radius. As the trochlea humeri is posed oblique and looks like a disc-shaped cone sector, flexion. Flexion of elbow joint is always combined with adduction of the distal parts of the limb, and, respectively, extension with abduction. The cylindrical but also in sagittal direction convex capitulum humeri enables the head of the radius all movements on a spheric sector. Furthermore, advantageous preconditions for rotation in the proximal radioulnar joint are the mighty medical coronoid process, the displacement of the radial tuberosity to the caudal surface of the radius and the insertion of the biceps brachii muscle exclusively on this elevation of the radius. Limiting factors are the insertions of collateral ligaments at the antebrachial skeleton. The lateral collateral ligament inserts only on the radius, the medial collateral ligament mainly on the ulna. The radial anular ligament directly connects the two coronoid processes of the ulna and moreover is intracapsular. The joint capsule is common for both the cubital and the proximal radioulnar joint and five pouches could be described. These were between the lateral epicondyle of humerus and the olecranon, underneath the tendon of origin of the extensor carpi ulnaris muscle, cranially in the bend of the elbow joint, between the head of the radius and the tendon of origin of supinator muscle and the lateral part of radial anular ligament, just as between the medial epicondyle of humerus and the tendons of origin of flexor muscles of the forearm.