Final answer:
The ulnar nerve block at the elbow utilizes anatomical landmarks such as the olecranon process and the medial epicondyle to guide the procedure for effective anesthesia of the areas supplied by the ulnar nerve.
Step-by-step explanation:
The ulnar nerve block at the elbow is a procedure to alleviate pain or facilitate surgeries by numbing the areas supplied by the ulnar nerve, which spans from the C6 to T1 vertebral levels. The ulnar nerve can be blocked at several points along its course, but when targeting it at the elbow, the landmarks include the olecranon process and the medial epicondyle of the humerus. Knowledge of the anatomy of the elbow is critical, including the trochlea of the humerus articulating with the trochlear notch of the ulna. This region on the ulna consists of the olecranon process forming the bony tip of the elbow, the coronoid process, and the ulnar tuberosity just below it. Proper identification of these landmarks ensures effective anesthesia and avoids injury to the nerve or surrounding structures.