Lecture 13: Vessels and Nerves of the Forearm and Hand Flashcards
What is bifurcation?
Splitting or dividing
The ____ artery bifurcates into ____ and ____ arteries just ___ to the _______.
a) Brachial
b) Radial and ulnar arteries
c) Distal to the cubital fossa
Which muscle does the ulnar artery pass deep to?
Flexor digitorum superficialis
Where is the ulnar artery located within the carpal tunnel?
Superficial to the retinaculum, between pisiform and hook of hamate
The ulnar artery continues as the _____ in the hand.
The superficial palmar arch
The deep branch of the ulnar artery anastomoses with the _____.
Deep palmar arch
Where does the radial artery travel after the brachial artery bifurcates?
Between the anterior forearm muscles and the medial border of the brachioradialis.
The radial artery continues as the _____ in the hand.
The deep palmar arch
What does the radial artery pierce to become the deep palmar arch?
Pierces the first dorsal interosseous muscle and adductor pollicis.
What are the 2 sets of veins in the upper limb?
- Deep veins
- Superficial veins
Which set of veins follow the course and naming pattern of the arteries?
- Deep veins
What are the superficial veins?
Cephalic & Basilic veins
Where does the median nerve course through in the forearm?
Between flexor digitorum superficialis and flexor digitorum profundus
Which muscles do the median nerve innervate?
Most muscles of the anterior forearm
Where does the median nerve pass around the carpal tunnel?
It passes deep to the flexor retinaculum, passing through the carpal tunnel
Where does the ulnar nerve course through in the forearm?
Deep to the flexor carpi ulnaris
Where does the ulnar nerve pass along the elbow area ish?
Posterior to the medial epicondyle
What does the ulnar nerve innervate?
- Flexor Carpi Ulnaris
- Medial half of the flexor digitorum profundus (digits 3, 4)
Where does the radial nerve bifurcate?
Near the lateral epicondyle
What does the radial nerve innervate prior to its bifurcation?
Brachioradialis & Extensor Carpi Radialis Longus
What does the deep branch of the radial nerve innervate?
Most of the posterior forearm muscles
What does the radial nerve pierce and where does it course through afterwards?
The radial nerve pierces the supinator and courses through the forearm on the posterior surface of the interroseous membrane
Where does the superficial branch of the radial nerve course through?
Courses through the forearm deep to brachioradialis but becomes superficial at the anatomical snuff box
What does the superfcial bran of the radial nerve supply?
Skin on the posterior surface of the thumb
What is carpal tunnel syndrome caused by?
Caused by anything that increases the size of the structures (tendons) passing through the carpal tunnel
- inflammation of synovial sheaths surrounding tendons
- fluid retention
- infection
What can carpal tunnel lead to and where does it affect the individual?
Median nerve supplies the skin of the lateral 3 1/2 digits so the following can occur:
- Paresthesia (tingling)
- Hypoesthesia (reduced sensation)
- Anesthesia (absence of sensation)
- Reduced strength or function of thenar muscles
What is recommended to treat carpal tunnel syndrome?
The flexor retinaculum is partially or completely cut to release the pressure
