Upper Limb: elbow, cubital fossa and forearm

Question 1

what is the cubital fossa

Answer 1

depression on the anterior surface of the elbow joint

Question 2

cubital fossa: lateral border

Answer 2

brachioradialis

Question 3

cubital fossa: medial border

Answer 3

pronator teres

Question 4

cubital fossa: roof

Answer 4

skin, fascia, cutaneous nerves and vessels, bicipital aponeurosis

Question 5

cubital fossa: floor

Answer 5

brachialis (as it crosses the anterior surface of the elbow joint)

Question 6

where do the superficial veins of the cubital fossa lie

Answer 6

in fascia above the bicipital aponeurosis

Question 7

what vein drains the lateral side of the dorsum of the hand

Answer 7

cephalic vein

Question 8

what is the course of the cephalic vein in the forearm

Answer 8

drains the lateral side of the dorsum of the hand, passes along the roof of the anatomical snuffbox, then runs up the lateral side of the forearm to reach the cubital fossa

Question 9

what vein drains the medial side of the dorsum of the hand and the medial forearm before reaching the cubital fossa

Answer 9

basilic vein

Question 10

what happens at the cubital fossa re veins

Answer 10

some communication between cephalic and basilic veins - median cubital vein

Question 11

how do cephalic and basilic veins communicate in the cubital fossa

Answer 11

via median cubital vein

Question 12

what is a variation of the communication between the cephalic vein and the basilic vein

Answer 12

M shape with a large anterior median vein contributing to the median cubital vein

• frequent variation
• may be accessory vessels

Question 13

why is the communication between the cephalic and basilic veins useful clinically

Answer 13

area that blood can be taken from a relatively large superficial vein and as it is a communicating vein, damage will not damage the main vessels

Question 14

the veins of the cubital fossa are accompanied by what

Answer 14

cutaneous nerves

Question 15

the medial cutaneous nerve of the forearm is derived directly from

Answer 15

medial cord of brachial plexus

Question 16

the lateral cutaneous nerve of the forearm is the terminal branch of

Answer 16

the musculocutaneous nerve (branch of the lateral cord of the brachial plexus)

Question 17

what are the contents of the cubital fossa from medial to lateral

Answer 17

• median nerve
• brachial artery
• bifurcating into ulnar and radial arteries
• tendon of biceps brachii
• (radial nerve)

Question 18

is the radial nerve found in the cubital fossa

Answer 18

not within fossa but skirts its lateral boundary as it lies under brachioradialis

Question 19

the brachial artery is usually accompanied by

Answer 19

several brachial veins

Question 20

describe the arterial anastomoses around the elbow joint

Answer 20

collateral branches from the brachial and profunda brachii arteries join with recurrent arteries from the radial and ulnar arteries

Question 21

what kind of joint is the elbow

Answer 21

synovial hinge joint between the humerus radius and ulna

Question 22

what restricts the movement of the elbow joint to flexion and extension

Answer 22

the shape of the bones and the presence of collateral ligaments

Question 23

a capsule surrounds the joint and is crossed by what anteriorly

Answer 23

brachialis with the median nerve and brachial artery

Question 24

a capsule surrounds the joint and is crossed by what medially

Answer 24

ulnar nerve as it passes around the posterior surface of the medial epicondyle of the humerus

Question 25

what nerve passes around the posterior surface of the medial epicondyle of the humerus

Answer 25

ulnar nerve

Question 26

what happens in pronation and supination

Answer 26

the head of the radius moves against the rounded capitulum of the humerus

Question 27

what helps with pronation and supination

Answer 27

annular ligament wraps around the neck of the radius to facilitate this movement

Question 28

what prevents abduction/adduction of the elbow

Answer 28

medial and lateral collateral ligaments

Question 29

the synovium of the elbow joint extends to form what

Answer 29

bursae - bursa assoc. with subcutaneous tissue at posterior surface of elbow

Question 30

the ____ nerve passes around the medial side of the elbow to reach the anterior compartment of the forearm

Answer 30

ulnar nerve

Question 31

the ____ nerve passes around the lateral side of the elbow to reach the posterior compartment of the forearm

Answer 31

radial nerve

Question 32

what nerve supplies cutaneous innervation to the posterior surface of the forearm

Answer 32

radial nerve

Question 33

the lateral collateral ligament is formed from one band that communicates with the _____ ligament around…

Answer 33

annular ligament around the neck of the radius

Question 34

the medial collateral ligament has _ parts

Answer 34

3

Question 35

what are the 3 parts of the medial collateral ligament

Answer 35

anterior, posterior and oblique part

Question 36

why is the medial collateral ligament more complicated with 3 parts

Answer 36

helps to support the deeper bony cavity on the medial side of the elbow joint between humerus and ulna

Question 37

the sharp interosseous membrane on the shaft of the radius and ulna is for what

Answer 37

attachment site of interosseous membrane that lies between and supports the radius and ulna

Question 38

what aspect of the bones of the forearm can you feel at your wrist

Answer 38

styloid process