Cubital Fossa: Anatomy and Clinical Application

Describe Cubital Fossa Under the Following Heads

1. Cubital Fossa Boundaries,
2. Cubital Fossa Contents, and
3. Cubital Fossa Applied anatomy.

Answer:

Cubital Fossa Introduction:

It is a shallow   lar fossa present in front of the elbow joint.

1. Cubital Fossa Boundaries

1. Medial boundary is formed by the lateral border of pronator teres.

2. The lateral boundary is formed by the medial border of the brachioradialis.

3. Cubital Fossa Roof: It is formed by

Read And Learn More: Anatomy Notes And Important Questions and Answers

Skin and superficial fascia containing

1. Medial cutaneous nerve of forearm,

2. Lateral cutaneous nerve of forearm,

3. Medial cubital vein which is joined by

1. Cephalic vein, and
2. Basilic vein.

Deep fascia and bicipital aponeurosis.

4. Cubital Fossa Floor

1. Upper part: Formed by the lower part of the brachialis.
2. Lower part: Formed by the upper part of the supinator.

5. Base by an imaginary line joining the medial and lateral epicondyle.

6. Apex is formed by the meeting point of the medial border of brachioradialis and the lateral border of pronator teres.

2. Cubital Fossa Contents

1. Main contents: From lateral to medial are (Ravina Tandon ke Baton Me RT BM)

The Radial nerve divides into
Tendon of biceps
Brachial artery
Median nerve.

2. Minor contents are

1. Deep branch of the radial nerve: It continues as a posterior interosseous branch. It gives

2. Muscular branches to

1. Supinator
2. Extensor carpi radialis brevis

3. Terminal divisions of the branchial artery, namely

1. The radial artery, and
2. Ulnar artery

4. Musculocutaneous nerve. It lies at the lateral margin of the biceps tendon. Here it continues as the lateral cutaneous nerve of the forearm.

5. Muscular branches of median nerve in the cubital fossa are

1. Pronator teres,
2. Palmaris longus,
3. Flexor carpi radialis,
4. Flexor digitorum superficialis.

6. Anterior interosseous nerve, a branch of the median nerve.

7. Small isolated lymph nodes sometimes occur along radial, ulnar and interosseous arteries.

3. Cubital Fossa Applied anatomy

1. The median cubital vein is the most fixed vein. Hence it is used for the withdrawal of blood for investigation purposes and for giving intravenous fluid.
2. The brachial artery is auscultated for recording blood pressure.
3. The brachial artery is selected for the withdrawal of arterial blood for blood gas analysis.
4. The median cubital vein is used for the introduction of the cardiac catheter to secure blood samples from the great vessels and chambers of the heart.
5. The supracondylar fracture of the humerus results in the rupture of the brachial artery and ends in a condition called Volkmann’s ischaemic contracture.