THE CUBITAL FOSSA
The cubital fossa is a triangular depression which marks the area of transition between the arm and the forearm. The cubital fossa is located above the elbow joint and located anteriorly in a balanced anatomical position.
The cubital fossa is an area of transition between the anatomical arm and the forearm. It is located as a depression on the anterior surface of the elbow joint.
BORDERS OF THE CUBITAL FOSSA
The cubital fossa is triangular in shape, and thus has three borders, mainly bounded by the muscles of the arm and forearm.
Lateral border – medial border of the brachioradialis muscle.
Medial border – lateral border of the pronator teres muscle.
Superior border – hypothetical line between the epicondyles of the humerus.
The floor of the cubital fossa is formed proximally by the brachialis, and distally by the supinator muscle. The roof consists of skin and fascia, and is reinforced by the bicipital aponeurosis. Within the roof runs the median cubital vein, which can be accessed for venepuncture.
CONTENTS OF THE CUBITAL FOSSA
The cubital fossa is mainly filled with fats.
prominent contents include;
The contents of the cubital fossa include vessels, nerves and the biceps tendon (lateral to medial):
Radial nerve – this is not always strictly considered part of the cubital fossa, but is in the vicinity, passing underneath the brachioradialis muscle. As it does so, the radial nerve divides into its deep and superficial branches.
Biceps tendon – runs through the cubital fossa, attaching to the radial tuberosity, just distal to the neck of the radius.
Brachial artery – supplies oxygenated blood to the forearm. It bifurcates into the radial and ulnar arteries at the apex of the cubital fossa.
Median nerve – leaves the cubital between the two heads of the pronator teres. It supplies the majority of the flexor muscles in the forearm.
CLINICAL CORRELATE
Venepuncture
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.
