The cubital fossa is a triangular space at the front of the elbow, bordered by the brachioradialis and pronator teres muscles, with a base formed by a line between the humeral epicondyles. The fossa contains critical structures including the median nerve, brachial artery, tendon of the biceps brachii, and radial nerve, along with important veins such as the median cubital vein. Clinically, the median cubital vein is commonly used for intravenous injections, and blood pressure is measured using the brachial artery located in the fossa.

1. CUBITAL FOSSA
Presented by
Dr. Manisha Yadav (PT)
MPT ( Neuro )

2. INDEX
• Features
• Boundaries
• Roof
• Floor
• Content
• Clinal Anatomy

3. Features
Cubital (Latin cubitus, elbow) fossa is a triangular hollow .
(It is homologous with the popliteal fossa of the lower limb situated
on the back of the knee.)
Situation :-
Situated on the front of the elbow.

4. Boundaries
Laterally – Medial border of the brachioradialis
Medially – Lateral border of the pronator teres.
Base – It is directed upwards, and is represented
by an imaginary line joining the front of
two epicondyles of the humerus
Apex – It is directed downwards, and is formed
by the area where brachioradialis crosses
the pronator teres muscle.
.

5. Roof
The roof of the cubital fossa is formed by:
a. Skin
b. Superficial fascia : containing the Nerves and Veins
Medially Laterally
Nerve Medial cutaneous
nerve of the forearm
Lateral cutaneous
nerve of the forearm
Vein Basilic Veins Cephalic Vein
Median Cubital Vein joining both Veins

6. c. Deep fascia
d. Bicipital aponeurosis

7. FLOOR
IT IS FORMED BY:
I. BRACHIALIS
II. SUPINATOR SURROUNDING THE UPPER PART OF RADIUS
(a) Surface view
(b) Cross-sectional view

8. Contents
The fossa is actually very narrow. The contents described are seen after
retracting the boundaies. From medial to the lateral side, the contents are as
follows:
Mnemonic : M B B R
•Median Nerve
• Brachial Artery
•Tendon of the Biceps Brachii
•Radial Nerve

9. The Median Nerve:
It gives branches to ;
•flexor carpi radialis
• palmaris longus
•flexor digitorum superficialis
•leaves the fossa by passing between the two
heads of pronator teres .
.

10. The Brachial Artery
The beginning of the radial and ulnar arteries lie in the fossa.

11. Radial Artery Ulnar Artery
Its is smaller and more superficial
than the ulnar artery.
Its deep to both heads of pronator
teres and runs downwards and
medially
It gives off ;
•the radial recurrent branch
Ulnar artery gives off ;
• the anterior ulnar recurrent,
• the posterior ulnar recurrent
• the common interosseous
branches

12. The common interosseous branch divides into the:-
•Anterior Interosseous Arteries
•Posterior Interosseous Arteries
• Interosseous Recurrent Branch

13. The Tendon of the Biceps Brachii

14. Radial Nerve:
• It descends medial to lateral epicondyle to enter cubital fossa.
• In the fossa, it gives off the posterior interosseous nerve or deep branch of
the radial nerve which gives branches to extensor capri radialis brevis and
supinator.
•Then it leaves the fossa by piercing the supinator muscle.
•The remaining superficial branch runs in the front of forearm for some
distance.

15. CLINICAL ANATOMY
1. The Median cubital vein is often the vein of
choice for intravenous injections .
2. The Blood Pressure is universally recorded
by auscultating the brachial artery in front
of the elbow .