Cubital fossa

Question 1

Borders of the cubital fossa

Answer 1

Triangular in shape, and thus has three borders:

• Lateral border - The medial border of the brachioradialis muscle
• Medial border- The lateral border of the pronator teres muscle
• Superior border- An imaginary line between the epicondyles of the humerus.
• Foor - proximally by the brachialis, and distally by the supinator muscle.
• Roof - skin and fascia, with is reinforced by the bicipital aponeurosis.

Question 2

What runs within the roof of the cubital fossa?

Answer 2

The median cubital vein, which can be accessed for venepuncuture (see clinical relevance)

Question 3

Contents of the cubital fossa?

Answer 3

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 is does so, the radial nerve divides into its deep and superficial branches.

Biceps tendon - It runs through the cubital fossa, attaching to the radial tuberosity, just distal to the neck of the radius.

Brachial artery - The brachial artery supplies oxygenated blood 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.

Question 4

What is the relevance of the cubital fossa in relation to brachial pulse and blood pressure?

Answer 4

The brachial pulse can be felt by palpating immediately medial to 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.

Question 5

What is it’s relevance for venepuncture?

Answer 5

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.

Question 6

Relevance for supracondylar fractures?

Answer 6

A supraepicondylar fracture occurs by falling on a flexed elbow. It is a transverse fracture, spanning between the two epicondyles.

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 short.

There also can be damage to the medial or radial nerves