Cubital Fossa and Anterior Forearm

Muscle Innervation Function

first

laye

r Pronator teres Median Nerve Pronates and flexes forearm (at elbow)

Flexor carpi radialis Median Nerve flexes and abducts hand (at wrist)Palmaris longus Median Nerve Flexes hand (at wrist) and tenses palmar aponeurosis

Flexor carpi ulnaris Ulnar Nerve Flexes and adducts hand (at wrist)

seco

nd

laye

r Flexor digitorum superficialis

Median NerveFlexes proximal interphalangeal joints of middle four digits, also flexes proximal phalanges at metacarpophalangeal joints

third

la

yer Flexor digitorum

profundus

Lateral parts: Median Nerve (anterior interosseous branch), Medial part: ulnar nerve

Flexes distal interphalangeal joints of digits, 2,3,4,5; assists with wrist flexion

Flexor pollicis longusAnterior interosseous nerve from Median Nerve

flexes phalanges of 1st digit (thumb)

Pronator quadratusAnterior interosseous nerve from Median Nerve

pronates forearm; deep fibers bind radius and ulna together

fu nc Brachioradialis Radial nerveweak flexion of forearm, maximal when forearm is midpronated position

Cubital Fossa and Anterior Forearm - Arteries

Cubital Fossa and Anterior Forearm: Nerves

Cubital Fossa

Boundaries Contents

Superiorly: imaginary line connecting medial and lateral epicondylesMedially: Pronator teresLaterally: Brachioradialis

Brachial, radial, ulnar arteryAccompanying veinsBiceps brachii tendonMedian nerveRadial nerve (superficial + deep branches)

Affected structure Clinical correlate

Lateral EpicondyleTennis elbow/lateral epicondylitis: results from repetitive use of superficial extensor muscles. Pain in lateral epicondyle, radiating down posterior surface of forearm.

Medial Epicondyle Golfer's elbow/medial epicondylitis

Median nerveMedian nerve injury/palsy near cubital fossa results in hand of benediction