Download CUBITAL FOSSA

Cubital Fossa
Learning Objectives:
At the end of the lecture, the student
should be able to:
o Study the boundaries, contents and relationship
among structures of cubital fossa.
o Surface anatomy of the cubital fossa.
o Clinical importance of the cubital fossa.
Cubital Fossa
Lecture Outline:
INTRODUCTION:

The cubital fossa is a triangular
hollow area that lies in front of the
elbow joint.
BOUNDARIES OF CUBITAL FOSSA:
It is bounded:
 Superiorly by an imaginary line
connecting the medial and lateral
epicondyles.
 Medially by the pronator teres
muscle.
 Laterally by the brachioradialis
muscle.
Floor:
o Its floor is formed of the brachialis and supinator muscles
overlying the capsule of the elbow joint.
Roof:
o The deep fascia of the forearm
forms its roof, which is
strengthened by fibres of the
bicipital aponeurosis.
o Lying on the roof in
the superficial fascia
are the anterior
branches of the
medial and lateral
cutaneous nerves of
the forearm and the median cubital vein, which joins the
cephalic and basilic veins.
CONTENTS OF CUBITAL FOSSA
The contents of the fossa from
medial to lateral are:
•
Median nerve
•
Brachial artery and its terminal
branches, the radial and ulnar
arteries
•
Biceps tendon and bicipital
aponeurosis (which separates
the median cubital vein from
the brachial artery)
•
Radial and posterior
interosseous nerves, which
are often overlapped by the
fibres of brachioradialis
Surface Anatomy Of Cubital Fossa:
Quick Review Of Cubital Fossa
CLINICAL ASPECT OF CUBITAL FOSSA
 The cephalic, basilic and
median cubital veins are usually
easily seen and palpated in the
roof of the fossa, and this is
therefore a common site for
venepuncture.
 It is worth noting that variations in venous anatomy at this site are
common . The use of the cubital fossa for intravenous fluid
therapy is not recommended
because movement of the elbow
joint disturbs the cannula and
irritates the vein wall with the
consequence that thrombosis of
the vein quickly occurs.
 The sphygmomanometer
cuff is applied proximal to
the base of it and the
diaphragm of the
stethoscope is placed over it
to meassure the blood
pressure of the individual.
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