forearm Flashcards
ulnar artery general
descends through the anterior (flexor-pronator) compartment of the forearm, deep to the pronator teres
pulsations can be palpated on the lateral side of the FCU tendon, where it lies anterior to the ulnar head
the ulnar nerve is on the medial side of the ulnar artery
visible when brachioradialis pulled laterally
brachial artery general
ends in distal part of cubital fossa opposite the neck of the radius by dividing into ulnar and radial arteries
radial artery gneral
leaves the forearm by winding around the lateral aspect of the wrist and crossing the floor of the snuff box to reach the hand
the pulsation is usually measured on the distal radius between the tendons of the FCR and APL
superficial veins
ascend in subcutaneous tissue
deep veins
accompany deep arteries (radial and ulnar)
median nerve general
principal nerve of anterior compartment of forearm
enters the forearm with the brachial artery and lies medial to it
leaves the cubital fossa by passing between the heads of the pronator teres, giving branches to them and then pases deep to the FDS, continuing distally through the middle of the forearm, between the FDS and FDP
near the wrist, becomes superficial by passing between tendons of the FDS and flexor carpi radialis, deep to the palmaris longus tendon
branches: anterior interosseus nerve and palmar cutaneous branch
ulnar nerve general
passes posterior to the medial epicondyle of the humerus and enters the forearm by passing between the heads of the FCU, giving branches to them
it then passes inferiorly between the FCU and the FDP, supplying the ulnar or medial part of the muscle that sends tendons to digits 4 and 5
becomes superficial at the wrist, running on the medial side of the ulnar artery and the lateral side of the FCU tendon
emerges from between the FCU tendon just proximal to the wrist and passes superficial to the flexor retinaculum to enter the hand, where it supplies the skin on the medial side of the hand
branches: articular, muscular, and palmar and dorsal cutaneous branches
radial nerve general
leaves the posterior compartment of the arm to cross the anterior aspect of the lateral epicondyle of the humerus
in cubital region, radial nerve divides into deep and superficial branches
deep branch arises anterior to the lateral epicondyle and pierces the supinator. winds around the lateral aspect of the neck of the radius and enters the posterior compartment of the forearm where it continues as the posterior interosseus nerve
superficial branch of the radial nerve is cutaneous and articular nerve that descends in the forearm under cover of brachioradialis. emerges in the distal part of the forearm and crosses roof of snuff box. distributed to skin of hand and joints in hand
major nerves of forearm
median, ulnar, radial
muscle testing of flexor digitorum superficialis and profundus
to test the fds, one finger is flexed at the proximal interphalangeal joint against resistance and the other three fingers are held in an extended position to inactivate the FDP
to test the FDP, the proximal interphalangeal joint is held in the extended position while the person attempts to flex the distal interphalangeal joint
elbow tendinitis or lateral epicondylitis
tennis elbow
painful musculoskeletal condition that may folow repetitive use of superficial extensor muscles of forearm. pain is felt over the lateral epicondyle and radiates down the posterior surface of the forearm. often feel pain when open a door or lift a glass
repeated forceful flexion and extension of the wrist strain the attachment of the comon extensor tendon, producing inflammation of the periosteum of lateral epicondyle
synovial cyst of wrist
nontender cystic swelling on dorsu of wrist
cyst contains clear mucinous fluid
called ganglion
synovial cysts are close to and communicate with synovial sheaths
distal attachment of ECRB tendon is a common site
carpal tunnel syndrome
mallet or baseball finger
sudden severe tension on a long extensor tendon may avulse part of its attachment to phalanx
deformity results from distal interphalangeal joint suddenly being forced into extreme flexion when the tendon is attempting to extend the distal phalanx or the finger is jammed
unable to extend distal interphalangeal joint
DeQuervain’s syndrome
Inflammation of structures of 1st compartment
Pain increases with stretch to this compartment
Thumb in extended and abducted position for long time, new mothers and day care workers
Compartments
1st: APL, EPB
2nd: ECRL, ECRB
3rd: EPL
4th: ED, EI
5th: EDM
6th: ECU
