Arm and Cubital Fossa

Question 1

Three major superficial veins of the upper extremity

Answer 1

Cephalic vein

Basilic vein

Median cubital vein

• Often used for taking blood

Question 2

Muscles in anterior compartment of arm

Answer 2

Biceps brachii

Coracobrachialis

Brachialis

Innervation by musculocutaneous nerve

Question 3

Muscles in posterior compartment of arm

Answer 3

Triceps brachii

Aconeus

Innervation by radial nerve

Question 4

Functions of each head of biceps brachii at glenohumeral and elbow joints

Answer 4

• Both heads cause forearm flexion at elbow joint
• Both heads cause shoulder flexion at the glenohumeral joint
• The long head (not short head) is involved in abduction at glenohumeral joint

Question 5

Role of biceps brachii in pronation and supination of forearm

Answer 5

Insertion at radial tuberosity allows it to cause supination of foreare at the proximal radio-ulnar joint (not involved in pronation)

Question 6

Courses of median, ulnar, and radial nerves around the elbow

Answer 6

Question 7

Biceps tendonitis

Answer 7

• The tendon of the long head of the biceps brachii muscle lies in intertubercular groove and has a synovial membrane around it
• Movement of the tendon in the synovial joint can cause inflammation
• Presents with pain and tenderness over anterior shoulder
• Can progress to tendon rupture

Question 8

Popeye deformity

Answer 8

Rupture of tendon on long head of biceps brachii causes the muscle belly to retract in the arm causing the Popeye deformity

Question 9

Student’s bursitis

Answer 9

Repeated pressure on elbow can cause inflammation of teh subcutaneous bursa which is found superficial to the olecranon of the ulna in the subcutaneous tissue

Question 10

Elbow fractures expected in children versus adults

Answer 10

Common mechanism for albow fracture is falling on an outstretched hand

• Children recieve supracondylar fractures of the distal humerus
• Adults more commonly receive wrist fractures