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AFter these Muscles, follow those which bend and extend the Cubit, but because their in∣sertion cannot be fitly demonstrated, unless the bones of the cubit be first described; therefore first of all, we will delineate the bones themselves. But verily, lest this doubt∣ful word cubit should cause obscurity; first, we must note, that it hath a threefold signification,
for oft-times it is used for all that part of the hand which lies between the arm and wrist, oft∣times for the lower bone of this part,* 1.1 sometimes for the upper part of this bone which is turned within the orb, or cavity, of the arm, (no otherwise than a cord in the wheel of a Pulley) and this is called the Olecranen.* 1.2 Here truly we use this word cubit in the first signification. Wherefore, we say, the Cubit is composed of two Bones, the one of which we call the Radius, or Wand, or the lesser Focile of the Arm;* 1.3 the other we properly call the Cubit, or Ell. These two Bones stick to∣gether at their ends being firmly bound together by strong ligaments; but the middle-parts of them are a pretty way distant from each other, and chiefly towards their lower ends, for the bet∣ter situation and passage of the Muscles and Vessels from the inner side to the Exterior, as shall be shewed in fit place. The Wand hath two Epiphyses, or Appendices, the one at the upper end, the other at the lower.* 1.4 The upper is round and hollowed on the surface like a Bason, it receives the fore process of the Bone of the Arm, bound to the same by strong ligaments, descending as well from that process of the Arm, as the Olecranon into the circumjacent parts of this Appendix of the Wand.* 1.5 This connexion is made for this use, that we may turn our Hand upwards and downwards by the Cubit turned and twined about this process. But the lower Appendix of this Wand is hol∣lowed on the inside, that so it might more commodiously receive the Bones of the Wrist; but gib∣bous without, that it might be safer: now this Wand is softer and thicker at the lower end, but lesser and harder above, where on the inside it hath a swelling out, whereby to receive the Muscle Biceps: besides, on the out-side of the middle thereof it is somewhat gibbous and round, so to become more safe from the injuries of external bodies; but it is hollowed or bended on the inside, for the better taking and holding any thing in the Hand. But that side which lies next to the Ell is flatted for the fitter original and seat of the Muscles; lastly, it is seated upon the bone of the Cubit, or Ell, just against the Thumb. But the Ell, or Bone of the Cubit properly and particular∣ly so called,* 1.6 hath in like manner two Appendices, the one above, the other beneath. The upper, which also is the greater, is fitted to the Orb of the Arm in which it goes to and again for the ex∣tention and bending of the Arm, no otherwise than a Rope runs in a Pulley, but that it turns not absolutely and perfectly round, which is caused by the two processes of unequal bigness, the which are therefore stayed in the holes or cavities of the Bone of the Arm, the greater process which we called Olecranon is letted by the exterior hole, that so the extension of the Arm can be no further, but the lesser process by the inner hole, makes the bending thereof the less perfect. The composure of these Bones is by Ginglymos, and it is strengthned not only by common liga∣ments coming from the Muscles, which move the Bones themselves, but also by proper Liga∣ments descending from the processes of the Arm and the Lips of the holes and cavities standing a∣bout the Appendix of the Cubit. The other lower and lesser Appendix is in some sort hollow on the inside for the fitter receiving the Bones of the Wrist, but the outside is round and ends in a point,* 1.7 when it is called by the Greeks Styloides. But now this Ell (contrary in this to the Wand) is thicker towards the Arm, but slenderer towards the Wrist. And, besides, in the thicker part thereof, it is hollowed or bended towards the inside, and in the same place is gibbous or bunching forth on the outside; but it is round and straight, unless on that side which lies next the Wand: for the rest, it is hollow and full of marrow like the Wand. The site of the Radius, or Wand, is oblique, but that of the Cubit, or Ell, is right, that the Arm might be the better and more easily moved; because the motion by which the Arm is extended and bended is according to a right-line, but that by which the inside of the hand is turned upwards and downwards, is performed ob∣liquely and circularly. Wherefore it was expedient, that the Wand should be oblique, and the Cubit streight; for the Cubit-bone is appointed for to extend and bend the Arm, but the Wand to perform the wheeling and turning about thereof; and this is the cause that it was fitting, there should be a different connexion of these Bones with the Arm. These things were fitting to be spo∣ken concerning the nature of these Bones, that in the cure of fractures we may work the more safely and happily, taking indication from that which is agreeable to Nature: wherefore now it remains, that we come to the description of the Muscles which are seated in the Arm, the Cu∣bit-bone,* 1.8 or Ell. These are four in number, two extending it, and two bending it. The first of the benders is called Biceps, by reason of its two heads, the one whereof descends from the Cora∣coides,* 1.9 the other from the lip of the cavity of the Shoulder-blade by the fissure or clift of the Head of the Bone of the Arm. These two Heads under the Neck of this Arm becoming fleshy, are firmly united at the Belly and midst of the Arm, and thus united are at the length implanted by a strong Tendon to the inner protuberation of the Wand.* 1.10 The other is called the Brachiaeus, by reason of the strait coherence thereof with the Bone of the Arm; this fastened under the Biceps, descends obliquely on the Back and upper part of the Bone of the Arm into the top of the Wand and the inner side of the Ell.* 1.11 But the first of the Extenders is called the Longus, or long-Muscle; this descends from the lower Rib of the Shoulder, and cleaving to the Bone of the Arm goes thi∣ther (fastned and as it were alwayes straitly joyned with his fellow-Muscle, specially neer the Cubit) whereof you shall presently hear.* 1.12 The other, termed the Brevis, or short Muscle, being the companion of the Long, descends on the hind-part of the Neck of the Bone of the Arm, as it were growing to, and lying under the former Long-Muscle, so that making one common broad Tendon outwardly fleshy, inwardly nervous, they are inserted into the Olecranum, so by mutual assistance to extend the Cubit.
What is meant by the Cubit.
What the Ole∣cranum is.
The two Bones of the Cubit.
The two Ap∣pendices of the Wand.
The figure and site of the Wand.
The Appendi∣ces of the Bone of the Cubit.
The figure of the Cubit-bone or Ell.
The Muscles moving the Cubit.
The Biceps, or two-headed Muscle.
The Brachiae∣us.
The Longus.
The Brevis.