The anconeus is a small, short, pyramid-shaped muscle located posterior to the elbow joint. It lies in the superficial part of the posterior compartment of the forearm, extending between the distal humerus and the proximal ulna.

This muscle is superficial and can be easily palpated at the back of the elbow on the lateral side of the forearm, especially during pronation and supination of the forearm. Functionally, the anconeus assists in extension of the forearm at the elbow joint and contributes to dynamic stabilization of the joint by stabilizing the proximal ulna during various movements.

Some authors consider the anconeus to be a continuation of the triceps brachii, as the muscles are closely related and their fibers may partially or completely fuse at their attachment sites. The anconeus covers the lateral portion of the radial head and the annular ligament.

Origin: posterior aspect of the lateral epicondyle of the humerus.

Insertion: posterolateral aspect of the proximal end of the ulna and the posterolateral aspect of the olecranon.

Action: extension of the forearm at the elbow joint; stabilization of the elbow joint.

Innervation: radial nerve (C7 - T1).

Blood supply: recurrent interosseous artery (a branch of the posterior interosseous artery), middle collateral artery, and radial collateral artery (both branches off the deep brachial artery).

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Anconeus muscle