Surface Anatomy - Limbs Flashcards
What is the shape of the clavicle?
Medial 1/3 = Convex
Lateral 1/3 = Concave
Where does the brachial plexus lie in relation to the clavicle?
The trunks of the brachial plexus are in the supraclavicular notch, posterior to the middle 1/3 of the clavicle
Where does the coracoid process lie in relation to the clavicle?
3cm below the junction of the middle and lateral 1/3s of clavicle
What attaches to the coracoid process?
Pectoralis minor
Short head biceps brachii
Coracobrachialis
Where does the lateral part of the clavicle end?
Acromioclavicular joint
What happens to the clavicle as the upper limb is raised?
Lateral end of clavicle elevates
As limb is raised fully:
- Clavicle rotates backwards
- Normal anterior surface now faces superiorly
Where does the medial border of the scapula lie?
5cm lateral to the spine of T2-T8 vertebrae
Why is the medial border somewhat difficult to palpate?
Attachments of muscles such as rhomboids
Why is the superior angle of the scapula difficult to palpate?
Muscle mass of superficial muscle layer of back
Where does the inferior angle of the scapula overlie?
Posterolateral parts of the 7th or 8th ribs
What happens to the inferior angle of the scapula as the upper limb is moved above shoulder height?
Scapula is protracted and inferior angle moves anteriorly and superiorly (upward rotation)
Why does the scapula move when the arm is raised?
Moves the acromion process superiorly so the head of the humerus does not get restricted by it
How can pectoralis major be palpated in the axilla?
Place hand at anterior border of axilla and flex the arm
How can the latissimus dorsi be palpated in the axilla?
Extend the arm and palpate posterior wall of axilla
What structures can be palpated moving laterally from the coracoid process of the scapula?
Anterior rim of glenoid cavity
Head of humerus
Lesser tubercle of humerus
What structure can be palpated in the intertubercular groove of the humerus? How does it feel?
Tendon of long head of biceps
Cord-like structure
Why is the greater tubercle of the humerus difficult to palpate?
Usually covered by deltoid
How does the greater tubercle contribute to the palpable shape of the shoulder?
Contributes to the rounded shape of the lateral side of the shoulder
How can the humeral head be more easily palpated?
Laterally rotating the arm
Where can the shaft of the humerus be palpated?
Halfway down the lateral side of the arm by following the attachment of deltoid
What muscle group originates from the lateral epicondyle of the humerus?
Extensors of wrist and digits (posterior forearm)
What cord-like structure can be palpated in the deep bony groove posterior to the medial epicondyle? What happens when pressure is applied here?
Ulnar nerve
Pressure:
- Tingling in medial 1.5 digits
- Tingling in medial palm and dorsum of hand
Where does the coronoid process lie in relation to the medial epicondyle of the humerus?
Anteromedial
What structure prevents further extension of the elbow joint?
Olecranon process of ulna
Where can the biceps tendon be palpated?
Cubital fossa
How can the triceps tendon be palpated?
Ask someone to extend their arm against gentle resistance
Palpate posterior arm
What bone lies immediately distal to the head of the ulna?
Triquetral carpal bone
What bone can be palpated on the triquetral bone’s anterior surface?
Pisiform
What type of joints are the intercarpal joints?
Plane synovial
Where can the hook of the hamate be palpated?
1cm distal and slightly lateral to the pisiform
Why must the hook of the hamate be palpated carefully?
2 small branches of the ulnar nerve pass close to this bony landmark
What bones are located in the anatomical snuffbox?
Radial styloid process Trapezium Scaphoid 1st metacarpal: - Base marked by a small tubercle
How can the tubercle of the scaphoid bone be palpated?
Extend wrist
Pass fingers to proximal end of thenar eminence, 1cm medial to tip of radial styloid process
How can the trapezium be palpated?
Move fingers 1cm distal to where tubercle of scaphoid bone was palpated and press a little deeper
What joint can be palpated at the base of the thenar eminence?
1st CMC joint
Why is it difficult to locate other small landmarks in the hand?
Muscle and fascia of wrist and palm
What bony features of the ulna can be palpated at the posterior aspect of the wrist?
Head of ulna
Ulnar styloid process
What tendon lies near the ulnar styloid process and can be palpated at the posterior aspect of the wrist?
Tendon of extensor carpi ulnaris
During which movement does the ulna styloid process become more prominent?
Wrist abduction
Why must care be taken when palpating along the lateral aspect of the forearm the the distal radius?
You may accidentally compress the superficial branch of the radial nerve
What tendon runs across the medial side of the dorsal tubercle of the radius?
Extensor pollicis longus tendon
If the wrist is flexed and an imaginary line running transversely across the wrist just distal to the radial and ulnar styloid processes is drawn, what does this coincide with?
The posterior surfaces of:
- Scaphoid
- Lunate
- Triquetral
Which metacarpals do the following carpal bones lie at the bases of:
- Trapezoid
- Capitate
- Hamate
Trapezoid = 2nd metacarpal Capitate = 3rd metacarpal Hamate = 4th and 5th metcarpals
How can the base, shaft and head of each metacarpal and phalanx be palpated?
From the dorsal surface of the hand, if fingers are flexed
Where can the tendon of flexor carpi radialis be palpated?
Medial to radial styloid process on anterior wrist
What muscle tendon will appear if you clench the fist and flex the wrist? Where?
Palmaris longus (if present): - Just medial to tendon of flexor carpi radialis
What tendon lies at the medial aspect of the anterior wrist?
Flexor carpi ulnaris
If the space between flexor carpi ulnaris tendon and palmaris longus tendon is observed, what tendons can be palpated during the following movements:
- Flexion of MCPJs and PIPJs
- Flexion of MCPJs, PIPJs AND DIPJs?
Flexion of MCPJs and PIPJs: - Tendons of flexor digitorum superficialis Flexion of MCPJs, PIPJs AND DIPJs: - Tendons of flexor digitorum profundus - Medial forearm - Deep to flexor carpi ulnaris tendon
What tendons can be identified on the posterior hand when the thumb is extended?
Abductor pollicis longus and extensor pollicis brevis (lateral border snuffbox)
Extensor pollicis longus (medial border snuffbox)
Why should a pulse never be palpated with the thumb?
You will feel the pulse of princeps pollicis
Why are only part of the courses of upper limb arteries palpable?
They usually lie deep within upper limb tissues
What arteries of the upper limb are too deep to palpate?
Brachiocephalic
Subclavian
Where can the subclavian artery be palpated? Why is this difficult to palpate?
Where it passes over the 1st rib posterior to the midpoint of the clavicle:
- Difficult to feel as deep pressure required and it is uncomfortable
How can the axillary artery be palpated?
Press upwards and laterally within the axilla:
- Compresses the artery against the lateral wall of the axilla
Why might palpation of the axillary artery be uncomfortable?
May compress some cords of brachial plexus
How can the brachial artery be palpated?
Compress the artery against the humerus on the medial side of the biceps tendon
Also palpable just prior to bicipital aponeurosis in cubital fossa
What other structures may be palpated when feeling the brachial pulse in the arm?
Ulnar nerve (superior to artery) Median nerve (inferior to artery)
Where is the radial pulse palpated?
At the wrist:
- Place fingertips on lower border of radius and radial styloid process
- Move 0.5cm medially
Between what structures is the radial pulse felt?
Between anterior border of radius and tendon of flexor carpi radialis
Where else can the radial artery be palpated?
Against lateral side of scaphoid in anatomical snuffbox:
- Between tendons of extensor pollicis longus (medially) and tendons of EPB and APL (laterally)
Where can the ulnar artery be palpated?
At the wrist:
- Just lateral to pisiform bone
What small arteries in the hand may be palpable?
The metacarpal arteries on the dorsal surface near the metacarpal heads
Where can the princeps pollicis artery be palpated?
Cleft between thumb and index finger:
- On anteromedial side of thumb
How else can the princeps pollicis pulse be felt?
By pressing pad of thumb against a hard surface
Where can the princeps indicis (radialis indicis) pulse be felt?
Lateral side of the metacarpal of the index finger
Where do the superficial veins of the upper limb originate?
From dorsal venous arch on hand
How can the dorsal venous arch of the hand be made more prominent?
Hand arm by side and apply light pressure to the medial aspect of the arm
What is the course of the cephalic vein?
Runs from lateral side of dorsal venous arch
Runs through roof of anatomical snuffbox
Runs along lateral border of forearm
Passes anterior to head of radius at cubital fossa
Runs on lateral side of biceps brachii
Enters deltopectoral groove
What is the course of the basilic vein?
Runs from medial side of the dorsal venous arch
Along medial side of the forearm
Passes anterior to the medial condyle of the humerus and along the medial side of the arm
Pierces the deep fascia to join with the brachial veins to form the axillary vein
Where are the cephalic and basilic veins most easy to identify?
Close to hand and distal forearm