Elbow joint with tuberculosis
Object numberGC.3465-1
TitleElbow joint with tuberculosis
CreatorR.W. Matthews (Artist)
DescriptionWater colour drawing of an elbow joint, bones of a left, showing changes due to tuberculous arthritis. From a child.
The disease has commenced as a tuberculous osteomyelitis at the proximal metaphysis of the ulna and subsequently opened into the joint The proximal two thirds of the ulna forms a piriform mass with an irregular and porous surface. Distally on its lateral surface a large oval opening communicates with the interior of the bone and is continuous with a single large opening on the posterior surface near the olecranon level and with another opening which enters the joint lateral to the semilunar notch. The tip of the olecranon and of the coronoid process is recognisable but all cartilage of encrustation is absent from the semilunar notch and the cancellous bone exposed. The radius is not affected. The cartilage of encrustation is removed from the distal end of the humerus and the cancellous bone exposed. The distal third of the humerus is increased in circumference and anteriorly is irregular and somewhat porous. A few osteophytic nodules overhang the superior border of the coronoid fossa.
Production periodTwentieth century
Object nameJOINT, elbow
Object categoryAnatomical, specimen
Dimensions
- Height: 8.5 cm
Width: 24 cm