ANATOMICAL SPACES OF THE UPPER

LIMB &THEIR CLINICAL RELEVANCE

DEPARTMENT OF ANATOMY
IGBINEDION UNIVERSITY
DR. EMMANUEL.O BIENONWU
THE ANATOMICAL SPACES OF THE UPPER
LIMBS INCLUDES THE:

• AXILLA
• CUBITAL FOSSA
• ANATOMICAL SNUFF BOX
• CARPAL TURNEL

THEY CONTAIN IMPORTANT STRUCTURES

AND AS SUCH ARE OF CLINICAL
IMPORTANCE
----3
BONES
 CLINICAL ANATOMY/RELEVANCE
1. THE AXILLA PROVIDES A GUIDE OR ROUTE TO REACH
ITS CONTENTS A.A,A.V, A LYMPH NODES FOR SPECIFIC
MEDICAL PROCEDURE

E.G Lymph Node Biopsy

• Approximately 75% of lymph from the breast drains into
the axilla lymph nodes, so can be biopsied if breast cancer
is suspected.
• If breast cancer is confirmed, the axillary nodes
may need to be removed to prevent the cancer
spreading. This is known as axillary clearance.
During this procedure, the long thoracic nerve may
be damaged resulting in winged scapular
2. ONE OF THE FOUR SITES (MOUTH, RECTUM &
EAR CANAL) THROUGH WHICH MEDICAL
THERMOMETER MAY BE INSERTED INORDER TO
MEASURE BODY TEMPERATURE

3. ONE OF THE LOCATION OF THE HUMAN BODY

WHICH IS MOST VUNERABLE TO TICKLING

4. COMPRESSION OF THE AXILLARY ARTERY

5. Thoracic Outlet Syndrome
• The apex of the axilla region is an opening between the
clavicle, first rib and the scapula. In this apex, the vessels
and nerves may become compressed between the bones –
this is called thoracic outlet syndrome.
• Common causes of thoracic outlet syndrome include:
• Trauma – e.g. fractured clavicle.
• Repetitive movements – seen commonly in occupations that
require lifting of the arms.
• Cervical rib – an extra rib which arises from the
seventh cervical vertebra.
• It often presents with pain in the affected limb (the
distribution of pain is dependent on which nerve is
compressed), tingling, muscle weakness and discolouration.
ALSO KNOWN AS THE SUPERIOR BORDER
VENI PUNCTURE
SUPRACONDYLAR FRACTURE
THE ANATOMICAL SNUFF BOX

ALSO KNOWN AS THE RADIAL FOSSA

ANATOMICAL SNUFF BOX
RADIAL PULSE
CARPAL TUNNEL
CLINICAL ANATOMY-CARPAL TUNNEL SYDROME