Surface Anatomy of the Upper Limbs Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards covering the surface anatomy, clinical landmarks, and examination methods of the upper limb as presented in the lecture notes.

Surface Anatomy

The study of the external features and landmarks of the body as they relate to underlying muscles, bones, blood vessels, nerves, and joints.

Cubital Fossa

A triangular depression on the anterior elbow bounded by the brachioradialis laterally, pronator teres medially, and an imaginary line between humeral epicondyles superiorly.

Biceps Brachii Tendon

A palpable structure in the cubital fossa when the elbow is in flexion.

Brachial Artery

A vessel palpated medial to the biceps tendon in the cubital fossa that bifurcates into the radial and ulnar arteries.

Median Nerve

A nerve that runs medial to the brachial artery within the cubital fossa.

Anatomical Snuffbox

A triangular depression on the dorsum of the wrist visible during thumb extension, bounded laterally by the abductor pollicis longus and extensor pollicis brevis and medially by the extensor pollicis longus.

Scaphoid and Trapezium

The carpal bones that form the proximal and distal floor of the anatomical snuffbox, respectively.

Thenar Eminence

The fleshy mound at the base of the thumb formed by the abductor pollicis brevis, flexor pollicis brevis, and opponens pollicis.

Hypothenar Eminence

The fleshy mound at the base of the little finger formed by the short muscles of the little finger.

Sternoclavicular Joint

Located at the superior manubrium, it is the only bony articulation between the upper limb and the axial skeleton.

Acromion

The most lateral and superior bony prominence of the shoulder that forms the roof of the shoulder joint with the clavicle.

Spine of Scapula

A posterior mapping structure located approximately at the $T3$ level that divides the supraspinous and infraspinous fossae.

Coracoid Process

A palpable process inferior to the lateral clavicle serving as an attachment site for the pectoralis minor, coracobrachialis, and short head of biceps brachii.

Axilla

The armpit region bounded medially by the serratus anterior and containing the axillary artery, axillary vein, and brachial plexus cords.

Deltopectoral Groove

An indentation between the deltoid and pectoralis major muscles through which the cephalic vein passes.

Quadrangular Space

A posterior shoulder passageway for the axillary nerve and posterior circumflex humeral artery, bounded by the teres minor, teres major, long head of triceps brachii, and surgical neck of the humerus.

Intertubercular Sulcus

Also known as the bicipital groove, it is situated between the humeral tubercles and contains the tendon of the long head of the biceps brachii.

Medial Epicondyle

A prominent projection on the humerus where the ulnar nerve passes posteriorly, causing a 'funny bone' sensation when compressed.

Lateral Epicondyle

A humeral projection associated with 'tennis elbow' that serves as an attachment for extensor muscles.

Olecranon Process

The pointed posterior projection of the ulna that is easily felt beneath the skin and becomes more prominent during elbow flexion.

Radial Head

A structure palpable just distal to the lateral epicondyle that rotates during pronation and supination of the forearm.

Pisiform

A small, rounded sesamoid bone embedded in the flexor carpi ulnaris (FCU) tendon on the medial aspect of the proximal wrist crease.

Hook of Hamate

A bony prominence approximately $1\,cm$ distal and radial to the pisiform that forms the medial wall of the carpal tunnel.

Palmaris Longus

A superficial midline tendon absent in approximately $14\%$ of individuals, frequently harvested for tendon grafting.

Guyon's Canal

A fibro-osseous tunnel on the medial wrist containing the ulnar nerve and artery, bounded medially by the pisiform and laterally by the hook of hamate.

Wartenberg's Syndrome

A painful dysaesthesia caused by compression of the superficial branch of the radial nerve, often due to tight wristwatch straps or surgery.

Palmar Aponeurosis

A triangular fibrous structure of the deep palmar fascia that protects underlying tendons and maintains palmar concavity.

Dupuytren’s Contracture

A permanent flexion deformity of the fingers caused by fibrosis and shortening of the palmar fascia.

Ape Thumb Deformity

A clinical sign of median nerve damage characterized by loss of thumb opposition and thenar wasting.

Simian Crease

A single transverse palmar crease that may be associated with conditions such as Down syndrome.

Allen’s Test

A clinical assessment used to determine the adequacy of the arterial supply to the hand via the radial and ulnar arteries.

Phalen’s Test

A diagnostic procedure for carpal tunnel syndrome where the patient flexes both wrists for $60$ seconds to elicit tingling in the median nerve distribution.

Tinel’s Sign

A physical exam finding where tapping over the median nerve at the carpal tunnel elicits a tingling sensation.

Cozen’s Test

A test for lateral epicondylitis (tennis elbow) involving resisted wrist dorsiflexion while the elbow is extended.

Empty Can Test

A clinical examination for supraspinatus tendon pathology where downward resistance is applied while the patient’s arm is abducted with the thumb pointing down.