1. The cubital fossa and cubital tunnel

Question 1

What is the cubital tunnel?

Answer 1

• space of dorsal medial elbow through which ulnar nerve passes to enter forearm

Question 2

Which structures form the cubital tunnel?

Answer 2

• formed by tendinous arch joining humeral and ulnar heads of flexor carpi ulnaris

Question 3

What is cubital tunnel syndrome?

Answer 3

compression of the ulnar nerve at the elbow

Question 4

what is the cubital fossa?

Answer 4

area of transition between arm and forearm

Question 5

what are the borders of the cubital fossa?

Answer 5

• superior: imaginary line connecting lateral and medial epicondyles of humerus
• lateral: medial border of brachioradialis
• medial: lateral border of pronator teres
• floor: brachialis (proximally) and supinator (distally)
• roof: skin, superficial fascia and deep fascia reinforced by bicipital aponeurosis

Question 6

Describe the contents of the cubital fossa (lateral to medial).

Answer 6

1. radial n.
2. biceps brachii tendon
3. brachial artery and commencement of its terminal branches, the radial and ulnar arteries (usually bifurcates near apex of fossa)
4. median n.

Question 7

Which structures are found in the subcutaneous tissue overlying the cubital fossa?

Answer 7

• median cubital vein

- medial and lateral cutaneous nerves of forearm

Question 8

Which clinical intervention can be performed at the cubital fossa region?

Answer 8

venepuncture (median cubital vein)

Question 9

Where would one palpate for the brachial pulse?

Answer 9

Immediately medial to biceps tendon in cubital fossa

Question 10

Which complications can occur due to a supracondylar fracture when falling on flexed elbow?

Answer 10

1. direct damage or post-fracture swelling causing interference to blood supply of forearm from brachial artery… ischaemia… flexor muscles become fibrotic and short… incontrolled hand flexion - Volkmann’s ischaemic contracture
2. damage to median or radial nerves