Cubital fossa

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The cubital fossa (a.k.a. antecubital fossa) (plural: fossae) is a triangular space which forms the transition between the arm and the forearm. It is located anterior to the elbow joint.

The terms cubital/antecubital fossa are also used in surface anatomy for the skin overlying this region.

Gross anatomy

Boundaries

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

From medial to lateral:

median nerve
brachial artery and brachial veins (venae comitantes)
tendon of biceps
radial nerve
posterior interosseous branch of radial nerve

The order can be recalled using this mnemonic.

-<p>The <strong>cubital fossa </strong>(a.k.a. <strong>antecubital fossa</strong>) (plural: <strong>fossae</strong>) is a triangular space which forms the transition between the <a href="/articles/arm">arm</a> and the <a href="/articles/forearm">forearm</a>. It is located anterior to the <a href="/articles/elbow">elbow joint</a>.</p><p>The terms cubital/antecubital fossa are also used in <a title="Surface anatomy" href="/articles/surface-anatomy">surface anatomy</a> for the skin overlying this region.</p><h4>Gross anatomy</h4><h5>Boundaries</h5><ul>
~~-<li>superior: the line joining the medial and lateral humeral epicondyles</li>~~
+<p>The <strong>cubital fossa </strong>(a.k.a. <strong>antecubital fossa</strong>) (plural: <strong>fossae</strong>) is a triangular space which forms the transition between the <a href="/articles/arm">arm</a> and the <a href="/articles/forearm">forearm</a>. It is located anterior to the <a href="/articles/elbow">elbow joint</a>.</p><p>The terms cubital/antecubital fossa are also used in <a href="/articles/surface-anatomy">surface anatomy</a> for the skin overlying this region.</p><h4>Gross anatomy</h4><h5>Boundaries</h5><ul>
+<li>superior: the line joining the medial and lateral humeral epicondyles (epicondylar line)</li>
~~-<li>apex: formed by the meeting of the lateral and medial boundaries</li>~~
+<li>apex: formed by the meeting of the lateral and medial boundaries (proximal intersection of the brachioradialis and pronator teres)</li>
~~-<li>deep fascia of forearm reinforced medially by the <a href="/articles/biceps-brachii">bicipital aponeurosis</a>~~
+<li>deep fascia of forearm reinforced medially by the <a href="/articles/biceps-brachii-muscle-1">bicipital aponeurosis</a>
~~-<li>floor: <a href="/articles/brachialis">brachialis muscle</a> (medial), and <a href="/articles/supinator-muscle">supinator muscle</a> (lateral) <sup>1</sup>~~
+<li>floor: <a href="/articles/brachialis-muscle-1">brachialis muscle</a> (medial), and <a href="/articles/supinator-muscle">supinator muscle</a> (lateral) <sup>1</sup>

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Cubital fossa

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Gross anatomy

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