Question

Why can our elbow not move backward?

Answer 1

Hint:Elbow joint is a type of hinge joint similar to the hinge of the door. The elbow joint is present between the upper arm and the lower arm.

Complete Answer:
The elbow joint is an example of a hinge joint. The hinge joint is a type of synovial joint, that allows movement in only one direction. In a hinge joint, the articulating ends of the bones fit together like a hinge of a door. The elbow joint is the point of articulation of three bones: the humerus of the arm and the radius and the ulna of the forearm.
The elbow hinge joint only allows flexion and extension of the elbow and the upper limb bones and muscles in the sagittal plane but cannot bend backward. The hinge joint permits movement only in one direction, i.e, in the forward direction only. The olecranon process of the elbow is also responsible for stopping the backward movement of the elbow as it behaves like a stop and hence prevents backward movement of the elbow. Some of the characteristics of the hinge joint are as follows:-
i.Hinge joints are between two or more bones.
ii.The bones joined by the hinge joint can move only in one direction.

Note:Hinge joints belong to the class of synovial joints. A considerable amount of movement occurs in all types of synovial joints. Some of the other examples of hinge joints are knee, ankle, and interphalangeal joints.