A triangular space on the anterior surface of the forearm in the upper extremity

1. CUBITAL FOSSA
OBAJE GODWIN SUNDAY
DEPARTMENT OF ANATOMY,
ALEX EKWUEM FEDERAL
UNIVERSITY NDUFU ALIKE
IKWO, EBONYI STATE,
NIGERIA
+2348068638121
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2. DEFINITION
BORDERS
STRUCUTRES
FLOOR
CONTENTS
BLOOD SUPPLY
INNERVATIONS
CLINICAL ANATOMY
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3. DEFINITION
A triangular space on the anterior surface of the forearm in the upper
extremity
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4. FLOOR
Proximally-brachialis
Distally-supinator muscle.
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5. DIAGRAM
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6. ROOF
Skin and fascia
bicipital aponeurosis.
NOTE
Within the roof runs the median cubital vein
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7. BOUNDARIES
Lateral – brachioradialis
NOTE
The branching of the radial nerve into superficial and deep branches is
often described HERE
Medial - pronator teres
Superior - medial and lateral epicondyles of the humerus
NOTE
Horizontal line HERE
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8. BOUNDARIES CONT’D
Anterior - bicipital aponeurosis
NOTE
Median cubital vein is sometimes incorrectly described as a content of
the cubital fossa. It is superficial to the cubital fossa
Posterior - brachialis and supinator
Inferior - crossing of the brachioradialis and the pronator teres
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9. CONTENTS
lateral to medial: radial nerve and terminal branches (superficial and
deep), radial collateral artery, biceps tendon, brachial artery (radial
and ulnar branches), median nerve, inferior ulnar collateral artery
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10. GENERAL CONTENTS
RADIAL NERVE
Not always strictly considered part of the cubital fossa, but passing under the
brachioradialis muscle.
HERE, the radial nerve divides into its deep and superficial branches.
Biceps tendon –attaching to the radial tuberosity
NOTE
It is distal to the neck of the radius.
Brachial artery – supplies oxygenated blood to the forearm.
NOTE
Bifurcation into the radial and ulnar arteries at the apex of the cubital fossa.
Median nerve– between the two heads of the pronator teres. SG OBAJE 10

11. CLINICAL ANATOMY
The brachial pulse can be felt by palpating the biceps tendon in the
cubital fossa. When measuring blood pressure, this is also the
location in which the stethoscope must be placed, to hear the
korotkoff sounds.
The median cubital vein is located superficially within the roof of the
cubital fossa. It connects the basilic and cephalic veins, and can be
accessed easily – this makes it a common site for venepuncture.
A supracondylar fracture is a common fracture in the young, and
usually occurs by falling onto a hyper-extended elbow.
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12. CLINICAL ANATOMY CONT’D
The displaced fracture fragments may impinge and damage the
contents of the cubital fossa.
Direct damage, or post-fracture swelling can cause interference to
the blood supply of the forearm from the brachial artery. The
resulting ischaemia can cause Volkmann’s ischaemic contracture –
uncontrolled flexion of the hand, as flexors muscles become fibrotic
and REDUCED.
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