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Cubital fossa

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Anatomy, location and structures found in the cubital fossa.
Cubital fossa (Fossa cubitalis)

The cubital fossa, also known as antecubital fossa, is a triangular-shaped area situated on most proximal part of the ventral surface of the forearm. It contains several important neurovascular structures that pass between the arm and forearm.

The cubital fossa contains a superior, medial and lateral border, as well as an apex which is directed inferiorly. The cubital fossa also has a floor and roof, and it is traversed by structures which make up its contents.

This article will discuss the anatomy of the cubital fossa.

Key facts about the cubital fossa
Definition The cubital fossa is a triangularly-shaped area situated on most proximal part of the ventral surface of forearm
Boundaries Superior border: Imaginary line joining the epicondyles of the humerus
Medial border: pronator teres muscle
Lateral border: brachioradialis muscle
Apex: pronator teres and brachioradialis muscles
Roof: skin, fascia of forearm, bicipital aponeurosis
Floor: brachialis muscle, supinator muscle
Contents Median nerve, Brachial artery, Tendon of biceps brachii, Radial nerve
Mnemonic: My Blood Turns Red
Clinical points Venipuncture, blood pressure measurements
Contents
  1. Boundaries
  2. Contents
  3. Clinical applications
    1. Venipuncture
    2. Blood pressure measurements
  4. Sources
+ Show all

Boundaries

The shape of cubital fossa resembles a triangle, that contains three borders, an apex, floor and roof.

Borders and contents of the cubital fossa
  • The superior border – also known as the base – is formed by an imaginary line that runs from the medial epicondyle to the lateral epicondyle of the humerus.
  • The medial border is formed by the pronator teres muscle.
  • The lateral border is formed  by the brachioradialis muscle.
  • The apex is directed inferiorly, and represents the sharp angle formed by the pronator teres and brachioradialis muscles at the point where these two muscles meet.
  • The roof is formed (from superficial to deep) by the skin, fascia of the forearm and the bicipital aponeurosis (medially). The bicipital aponeurosis forms a partial protective covering to the medial nerve, brachial artery, radial artery and ulnar artery.
  • The floor consists of the brachialis muscle (proximally) and the supinator muscle (distally).

Contents

The cubital fossa contains four structures (from medial to lateral):

Remembering the cubital fossa contents is incredibly easy if you use the following mnemonic:

My Blood Turns Red

  • Median nerve
  • Brachial artery
  • Tendon of biceps
  • Radial nerve

Repetition is the key to success! Learn anatomy faster with our free quizzes and guides.

Within the cubital fossa, the brachial artery bifurcates to form two more arteries. These arteries are the radial artery (laterally) and the ulnar artery (medially). These two arteries are named and situated in accordance with the radial and ulnar bones of the forearm.

The fascia forming the roof also contains the median cubital vein, the lateral cutaneous nerve of the forearm, and medial cutaneous nerve of the forearm. On the bicipital aponeurosis lies the basilic vein (medially) and the cephalic vein (laterally).

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Cubital fossa: want to learn more about it?

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