Antecubital Fossa

Describe the anatomy relevant to central venous access (including femoral, internal jugular, external jugular, subclavian and peripheral veins)

The antecubital fossa is a triangular space on the anterior aspect of the forearm.

Borders

The triangular borders are formed:

• Medially by pronator teres
• Laterally by brachioradialis

• Superiorly by an imaginary line between the medial and lateral epicondyles

• The roof of the fossa is formed by subcutaneous tissue

• The floor is formed by brachialis and supinator

Contents

From medial to lateral:

• Median nerve
• Brachial artery
• Biceps tendon and aponeurosis
• Radial and posterior interosseous nerves
• Veins
  • Basilic vein
  • Cephalic vein
  • Venous variations:
    • A median cubital vein connecting the basilic and cephalic veins
    • A median vein of the forearm, which divides into a median basilic and median cephalic vein which drain into the basilic and cubital veins

References

1. FRCA - The Cubital Fossa