Upper Limb Ultrasound Flashcards
Label the following structures
What are the 3 components that form the contents of the cubital fossa?
- tendon of biceps brachii
- median nerve
- brachial artery
Label the contents of the cubital fossa
Label the veins and nerves that travel past the cubital fossa
Label the following pulse points
What are the 3 main veins that are looked for on an upper limb ultrasound?
- cephalic vein
- basilic vein
- median cubital vein
Label the veins of the upper limb
What are the key characteristics of an artery on an ultrasound?
- pulsatile
- thick wall
- cannot be compressed
What are the characteristics of a vein on an ultrasound?
- easily compressible
- non-pulsatile
- thin walled
Why do veins and arteries appear as different colours when using Doppler ultrasound?
The different colours represent the direction and speed of blood flow
Label the radial artery
How can you tell the difference between the radial artery and vein?
The radial artery is non-compressible
The vein can be easily compressed
After a stabbing in the axilla, what would be the first priority?
Stopping the bleeding by applying firm pressure to the axilla
This compresses the axillary artery and vein onto the humerus
Which veins in the cubital fossa are used to gain intravenous access?
- cephalic vein
- basilic vein
- median cubital vein
Which arteries are assessed in the antecubital fossa and the lateral wrist?
Antecubital fossa - brachial artery
Lateral wrist - radial artery
If the radial pulse is still palpable after bleeding, what does this suggest about bloodflow in the arm?
The arm is still being perfused, despite the blood loss
Upon examination, what brachial plexus injury is suggested by:
- weak grip
- extension and abduction of the thumb intact, but adduction and flexion weak
- adduction and abduction of fingers weak
Ulnar nerve damage:
- The interossei adduct and abduct the fingers and are damaged
- Adductor pollicis adducts the thumb
Median nerve damage:
- FPL and FPB flex the thumb and are damaged
The medial cord is a common point for the ulnar and median nerves so this is where the damage is likely to have occurred
