Cubital Fossa Anatomy Quiz

Cubital Fossa Anatomy

• The cubital fossa is a depression on the anterior elbow, appearing as a superficial triangular space.

• The fossa's deep structure contains varied amounts of fat anterior to the humerus and elbow joint.

• The fossa's boundaries are defined by three distinct structures:

  • Superiorly: A line connecting the medial and lateral epicondyles.
  • Medially: The mass of flexor forearm muscles arising from the medial epicondyle (e.g., pronator teres).
  • Laterally: The mass of extensor forearm muscles originating from the lateral epicondyle and supra-epicondylar ridge (e.g., brachioradialis).

• The fossa's floor is composed of the brachialis muscle (arm) and supinator muscle (forearm).

• The roof comprises interconnected brachial and antebrachial fascia reinforced by the bicipital aponeurosis, along with subcutaneous tissue and skin.

Cubital Fossa Contents

• The brachial artery, the terminal portion, is centrally located and divides into the radial and ulnar arteries.
• The brachial artery lies between the biceps tendon and median nerve.
• Accompanying veins exist, running alongside the arteries.
• The biceps brachii tendon is present.
• The median nerve is contained within the fossa.
• The radial nerve, positioned deeply between the lateral boundary muscles (brachioradialis) and the brachialis, further divides into superficial and deep branches.
• The median cubital vein is found superficially, anterior to the brachial artery.
• The medial and lateral cutaneous nerves are in the subcutaneous tissue, relating to the basilic and cephalic veins.