Final answer:
The fat pads of the elbow provide cushioning and are located both anteriorly and posteriorly to the joint, with a significant pad over the olecranon process.
Step-by-step explanation:
The fat pads of the elbow are typically located in areas adjacent to the joint capsule of the elbow. These pads cushion and protect the underlying structures. In the elbow region, you can find fat pads located both anteriorly and posteriorly to the joint, with one notable fat pad situated over the olecranon process of the ulna. This is especially relevant when the elbow is fully extended, as the olecranon process inserts into the olecranon fossa of the humerus.
The fat pads can be affected by inflammation and can become displaced or swollen due to injury or conditions such as elbow arthritis or an olecranon bursitis, which affects the bursa located over the olecranon process. An accurate understanding of these structures is important for diagnosing and treating elbow-related injuries and conditions.