CUBITAL FOSSA

JANE
 Objectives
• Boundaries
• Contents
• Clinical correlates
DESCRIPTION

• It is a triangular depression on the anterior

aspect of the elbow joint.
• It is also called the elbow pit or antecubital
fossa.
• It lies anteriorly in standard anatomical
position.
Boundaries

• Superiorly: imaginary line joining the medial

and lateral epicondyles.
• Medially:pronator teres
• Laterally brachiradialis
• Floor: brachialis and supinator
• Roof: antebrachial and brachial fascia, bicipital
aponeurosis subcutaneous tissue, skin
Contents (deep structures)
-median nerve
-terminal part of the brachial artery and its
terminal branches, the radial and ulnar artery
-tendon of biceps
-radial nv and its posterior interosseous BRANCH
• Deep veins accompanying arteries
(superficial structures)
• Median cubital vein
• Medial and lateral cutaneous nvs of the fore
arm related to the basilic and cephalic vein.
 Clinical correlates
Veni-puncture and transfusion
• The cubital fossa is a common site for
sampling and transfusion of blood, and
intravenous injections because of the
prominence and accessibility of the 'attending'
veins.
• The median cubital vein is most commonly
accessed for venipuncture.
Blood Pressure Measurements:
The cubital fossa is a site for placement of the diaphragm
of the stethoscope during blood pressure measurement to
palpate the pulse of the brachial artery.
Supracondylar Fractures

• A supracondylar fracture is a transverse

fracture just above the condylar region.
• The displaced fracture fragments may impinge
and damage the contents of the antecubital
fossa.
• There also can be damage to the median or
radial nerves or brachial artery.