AN11.1-6 | Arm & Cubital fossa — Glossary

The main artery of the arm, continuation of the axillary artery from the lower border of teres major to the cubital fossa where it divides into radial and ulnar arteries

A two-headed muscle of the anterior arm that flexes the elbow and supinates the forearm, inserting into the radial tuberosity

The strongest flexor of the elbow, lying deep to biceps, inserting into the coronoid process of the ulna

The only extensor of the elbow with three heads (long, lateral, medial), inserting via a common tendon into the olecranon of the ulna

A small muscle from the coracoid process to mid-shaft of humerus that flexes and adducts the arm; pierced by the musculocutaneous nerve

The nerve supplying all three muscles of the anterior compartment of the arm; continues as the lateral cutaneous nerve of the forearm

The nerve supplying the posterior compartment of the arm, running in the spiral groove of the humerus; injury causes wrist drop

The radial (spiral) groove on the posterior surface of the humerus through which the radial nerve and profunda brachii artery pass

A triangular depression at the front of the elbow bounded by brachioradialis laterally, pronator teres medially, and the epicondylar line superiorly

A large connecting vein running obliquely across the cubital fossa from cephalic to basilic vein; the preferred site for venipuncture

A superficial vein running on the lateral side of the forearm and arm, draining into the axillary vein via the deltopectoral groove

A superficial vein on the medial side of the forearm and arm that pierces deep fascia at mid-arm to join the brachial veins

A fibrous expansion from the biceps tendon that spreads medially over the cubital fossa, protecting the brachial artery and median nerve during venipuncture

Radial nerve palsy from compression in the spiral groove during prolonged arm draping over a hard surface, causing wrist drop

Inability to extend the wrist and fingers due to radial nerve injury, with the hand hanging limply in flexion

A temporary block in nerve conduction without structural damage to nerve fibres, as seen in Saturday night paralysis

The largest branch of the brachial artery, accompanying the radial nerve through the spiral groove to supply the posterior arm

Walls of tough connective tissue (medial and lateral) that divide the arm into anterior and posterior compartments

A nerve crossing the brachial artery from lateral to medial in the arm, lying medial to the artery in the cubital fossa

A nerve passing behind the medial epicondyle (funny bone) to enter the forearm; supplies most intrinsic hand muscles

A forearm muscle forming the medial boundary of the cubital fossa; the median nerve passes between its two heads

A forearm muscle forming the lateral boundary of the cubital fossa; despite being in the posterior compartment embryologically, it flexes the forearm

A network of arterial connections from descending and ascending branches around the elbow joint providing collateral circulation

A bony projection on the proximal radius where the biceps brachii tendon inserts