Cubital fossa

Changed by Henry Knipe, 11 Feb 2017

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The cubital fossa is a triangular space which forms the transition between the arm and the forearm. It is located anterior to the elbow joint.

Gross anatomy

Boundaries¹

superior: the line joining the medial and lateral humeral epicondyles
lateral: medial border of brachioradialis
medial: lateral border of pronator teres
apex: formed by the meeting of the lateral and medial boundaries
roof:
- deep fascia of forearm, reinforced medially by the bicipital aponeurosis~~. Medial~~
- medial cutaneous nerve of forearm ~~and~~; lateral cutaneous nerve of forearm~~. Basilic~~
- basilic vein,; cubital vein ~~and~~; median cubital vein ~~(connects basilic vein to cephalic vein)~~
floor: brachialis muscle (medial), and supinator muscle (lateral)¹

From medial to lateral:

median nerve
brachial artery
tendon of biceps
radial nerve
posterior interosseous branch of radial nerve

The order can be recalled using a mnemonic seen here.

-<p>The <strong>cubital fossa</strong> is a triangular space which forms the transition between the arm and the forearm. It is located anterior to the elbow joint.</p><h4>Gross anatomy</h4><h5>Boundaries <sup>1</sup>
~~-</h5><ul>~~
+<p>The <strong>cubital fossa</strong> is a triangular space which forms the transition between the arm and the forearm. It is located anterior to the elbow joint.</p><h4>Gross anatomy</h4><h5>Boundaries</h5><ul>
-<li>roof: deep fascia of forearm, reinforced medially by the bicipital aponeurosis. Medial cutaneous nerve of forearm and lateral cutaneous nerve of forearm. Basilic vein, cubital vein and median cubital vein (connects basilic vein to cephalic vein)</li>
~~-<li>floor: <a href="/articles/brachialis">brachialis muscle</a> (medial), and <a href="/articles/supinator-muscle">supinator muscle</a> (lateral)</li>~~
+<li>roof:<ul>
+<li>deep fascia of forearm reinforced medially by the bicipital aponeurosis</li>
+<li>medial cutaneous nerve of forearm; lateral cutaneous nerve of forearm</li>
+<li>basilic vein; cubital vein; median cubital vein</li>
+</ul>
+</li>
+<li>floor: <a href="/articles/brachialis">brachialis muscle</a> (medial), and <a href="/articles/supinator-muscle">supinator muscle</a> (lateral) <sup>1</sup>
+</li>

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