Elbows are used in a surprisingly diverse range of applications, from everyday household items to complex medical procedures and engineering projects.
In Everyday Life:
- Cooking: Elbow macaroni, also known as elbow pasta, is a popular pasta shape used in various dishes like mac and cheese, pasta salads, and baked pasta casseroles. Learn more about elbow pasta.
In Engineering and Construction:
- Plumbing: Elbows are essential components in plumbing systems. They allow pipes to change direction smoothly, preventing damage and stress on the pipes. [Source: Elbows are often used in plumbing...]. This applies to various materials, including ABS and PVC pipes, as seen in examples of their use in creating ports [https://techtalk.parts-express.com/forum/tech-talk-forum/57086-who-has-used-3-or-4-sewar-elbow-for-port] and heater hose connections [https://www.chryslerminivan.net/threads/replacement-for-plastic-elbow-used-on-heater-hoses-by-firewall.182454/].
In Medicine:
- Orthopedics: Elbow injuries often require surgical intervention. Procedures like Tommy John surgery, which reconstructs the ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) in the elbow, are common. The surgery uses grafts, often from another part of the body, to replace the damaged ligament. Source: Tommy John Surgery (Ulnar Collateral Ligament Reconstruction ... Another example is the use of antibiotic cement spacers in elbow infections, which unfortunately can have complications related to their design. Source: Complications of antibiotic cement spacers used for elbow infections and [https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1058274624002350]. Specific graft choices and techniques are also used in elbow ligament reconstruction [https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38072032/].
In Martial Arts:
- Muay Thai: While elbows are a powerful weapon in Muay Thai, their use can be limited due to the risk of cuts and injuries. Source: Why aren't Elbows used much? The head is the most common target for elbow strikes. Source: Aside from hitting the head....
In Animation:
- Character Rigging: In 3D animation software, the term "elbow" refers to a digital joint that needs to be properly rigged for realistic movement. Errors can occur if the elbow isn't correctly linked to the animation system. Source: Re: Handle tagged as left elbow not being used by ...
