Upper Limb: Muscles, Blood Supply, and Nerve Supply

Vocabulary flashcards covering the anatomy of the upper limb including muscles, blood vessels, nerve supply, regions, spaces, and clinical correlates based on Dr. Cirilo Diesmos's Gross Anatomy lecture notes.

Clavipectoral / Deltopectoral Triangle

A anatomical region bounded superiorly by the clavicle, medially by the pectoralis major, and laterally by the deltoid, containing the cephalic vein.

Anterior Axioappendicular Muscles

A group of pectoral/thoracoappendicular muscles connecting the upper limb to the thoracic wall, consisting of the pectoralis major, pectoralis minor, subclavius, and serratus anterior.

Serratus Anterior

Also known as Boxer's muscle, it originates from the upper eight ribs, inserts into the medial border and inferior angle of the scapula, and is innervated by the long thoracic nerve (C5, C6, C7).

Rotator Cuff Muscles

A musculotendinous cuff surrounding and protecting the glenohumeral joint formed by the supraspinatus, infraspinatus, teres minor, and subscapularis muscles; all except supraspinatus rotate the humerus.

Triangle of Auscultation

A small triangular gap in the back musculature bounded superiorly by the horizontal border of latissimus dorsi, medially by the border of the scapula, and inferolaterally by the border of trapezius.

Dropped Shoulder

A clinical presentation caused by paralysis of the trapezius muscle.

Winged Scapula

A clinical presentation caused by paralysis of the serratus anterior muscle.

Quadrangular Space

A dorsal scapular passageway bounded superiorly by subscapularis and teres minor, inferiorly by teres major, medially by the long head of triceps, and laterally by the surgical neck of humerus; transmits the posterior circumflex humeral artery, vein, and axillary nerve.

Triangular Space

An area of communication between the axilla and posterior scapular region bounded superiorly by teres minor, inferiorly by teres major, and laterally by the long head of triceps; contains the circumflex scapular artery and vein.

Triangular Interval

A passageway between anterior/posterior arm compartments and axilla bounded superiorly by teres major, medially by the long head of triceps, and laterally by the lateral head of triceps; contains the profunda brachii artery, vein, and radial nerve.

Clavipectoral Fascia

A thick sheet of connective tissue enclosing the subclavius and pectoralis minor muscles; pierced by the cephalic vein, thoraco-acromial artery, and lateral pectoral nerve.

Axillary Artery

The distal continuation of the subclavian artery beginning at the lateral border of the 1st rib and ending at the inferior border of teres major where it becomes the brachial artery; divided into three parts by the pectoralis minor muscle.

Axillary Vein

A large vein formed at the inferior border of teres major by the union of the basilic vein and paired brachial veins (venae comitantes), becoming the subclavian vein at the lateral border of the 1st rib.

Brachial Plexus

A major nerve network formed by the anterior rami of C5, C6, C7, C8, and T1 spinal nerves, providing motor, sensory, and sympathetic innervation to the upper limb.

Cubital Fossa

A triangular hollow area on the anterior surface of the elbow joint bounded superiorly by an imaginary line connecting the epicondyles, medially by pronator teres, and laterally by brachioradialis.

Golfer's Elbow

Medial epicondylitis involving inflammation of the forearm flexor-pronator muscles originating from the medial epicondyle of the humerus.

Flexor Retinaculum

A thickening of deep fascia attached medially to the pisiform bone and hook of hamate, and laterally to the tubercle of scaphoid and trapezium; converts the carpal arch into the carpal tunnel.

Carpal Tunnel

An osteofascial pathway beneath the flexor retinaculum that transmits the median nerve, 4 tendons of flexor digitorum superficialis, 4 tendons of flexor digitorum profundus, and the tendon of flexor pollicis longus.

Tennis Elbow

Lateral epicondylitis characterized by inflammation or tearing of the tendons of the extensor muscles originating from the lateral epicondyle of the humerus.

Anatomical Snuffbox

A triangular skin depression on the lateral wrist bounded medially by the extensor pollicis longus tendon and laterally by the abductor pollicis longus and extensor pollicis brevis tendons; contains the scaphoid bone and radial artery in its floor.

De Quervain's Tenosynovitis

Swelling and inflammation of the tendon sheaths of the abductor pollicis longus and extensor pollicis brevis muscles within the first extensor compartment.

Palmar Aponeurosis

A thickened, triangular part of the deep fascia of the palm attached at its apex to the flexor retinaculum and palmaris longus tendon; gives firm attachment to overlying skin and protects underlying structures.