Elbow And Forearm

Question 1

Cubital fossa

Answer 1

The cubital ­fossa is a triangular depression in the anterior aspect of the upper ­forearm. It is bounded proximally by the epicondylar line, medially by the lateral margin o­f pronator teres, and laterally by the medial ­face of brachioradialis; it is bisected by the tendon o­f biceps brachii. The deep ­fascia o­f the ­orearm ­forms its roo­f. It is continuous with the deep ­fascia o­f the anterior arm, attached to the medial and lateral humeral epicondyles and augmented by the bicipital aponeurosis, which sweeps across the medial and inferior part of the fossa to the fascia over the superficial flexor muscles. Supinator and brachialis lie in the floor of the fossa. From medial to lateral, the basilic, median cubital and cephalic veins lie in the superficial fascia. Branches of the medial cutaneous nerve of the forearm are closely related to the basilic vein. The lateral cutaneous nerve of the forearm runs down alongside the lateral edge of the tendon of biceps brachii. Deep to the deep fascia, and passing from medial to lateral, are the median nerve and the brachial artery, the latter inclining from the medial side of the arm to pass down the fossa close to the midline. The radial and ulnar arteries, with their accompanying veins, originate
in the lower part of the fossa. The radial nerve enters the fossa laterally in the groove between brachioradialis and brachialis, and divides into the superficial radial and posterior interosseous nerves above the humero-radial joint. The superficial radial nerve continues down the forearm under cover of brachioradialis.