Anatomy of the

Arm and Anterior Forearm

MSc 2014/2015
Bones, Musculature, Cubital Fossa & Brachial Plexus
Justine J. Aka
Anatomy Teaching Fellow
J. Aka@ed.ac.uk
Aims
This lecture will cover:
1. Bones of the arm and forearm
2. Muscles of the arm
3. Flexor Compartment of Forearm
4. Cubital Fossa
5. Brachial Plexus and Innervation

Lecture will be followed by:
Demonstration of the anatomy on prosections
Body painting of the anterior forearm anatomy
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1. Bones of the arm & forearm
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Bone of the arm
j.aka@ed.ac.uk
Gosling (1991). Slide Atlas of Human Anatomy. 2nd ed.
Bones of the forearm
j.aka@ed.ac.uk Gosling (1991). Slide Atlas of Human Anatomy. 2nd ed.
j.aka@ed.ac.uk
Bones of the forearm
Gosling (1991). Slide Atlas of Human Anatomy. 2nd ed.
j.aka@ed.ac.uk
Bones of the forearm
j.aka@ed.ac.uk
Bones of the forearm
j.aka@ed.ac.uk
Bones of the forearm
Movements
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2. Muscles of the Arm
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Muscles of the arm
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Anterior: Biceps Brachii
Brachialis
Coracobrachialis

Posterior: Triceps Brachii
Anconeus

(Lateral: Brachioradialis)
j.aka@ed.ac.uk
Muscles of the arm
Coracobrachialis

Biceps Brachii

Brachialis
j.aka@ed.ac.uk
Muscles of the arm
Gosling (1991). Slide Atlas of Human Anatomy. 2nd ed.
j.aka@ed.ac.uk
Muscles of the arm
Triceps Brachii

Anconeus
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Muscles of the arm
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Muscles of the arm
Brachioradialis
Muscles of the arm
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Anterior
Biceps Brachii
Brachialis
Coracobrachialis
Posterior
Triceps Brachii
Anconeus
Lateral
Brachioradialis
Muscles of the arm
j.aka@ed.ac.uk
Anterior
Biceps Brachii
Brachialis
Coracobrachialis
Posterior
Triceps Brachii
Anconeus
Lateral
Brachioradialis
Musculocutaneous Nerve
Radial Nerve
3. Muscles of the Forearm
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Forearm: has 2 compartments:
Anterior - Flexor
Posterior - Extensor
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Flexor Compartment
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Anterior compartment
(flexors-pronators) 8 Muscles
Flexor carpi ulnaris
Palmaris longus
Flexor carpi radialis
Pronator teres

Flexor digitorum superficialis

Flexor digitorum profundus
Flexor pollicis longus
Pronator quadratus



Superficial
Deep

Intermediate
j.aka@ed.ac.uk
Anterior compartment
(flexors-pronators) 8 Muscles
Flexor carpi ulnaris
Palmaris longus
Flexor carpi radialis
Pronator teres

Flexor digitorum superficialis

Flexor digitorum profundus
Flexor pollicis longus
Pronator quadratus



Superficial
Deep

Intermediate
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Common flexor origin:
= medial epicondyle
Anterior compartment
superficial
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j.aka@ed.ac.uk
Anterior compartment
superficial
Pronator teres

Flexor carpi radialis

Palmaris longus

Flexor carpi ulnaris




Anterior compartment
Intermediate
j.aka@ed.ac.uk
Gosling (1991). Slide Atlas of Human Anatomy. 2nd ed.
Anterior compartment
Deep
j.aka@ed.ac.uk
Gosling (1991). Slide Atlas of Human Anatomy. 2nd ed.
Anterior compartment
Deep
j.aka@ed.ac.uk
Flexor Digitorum Profundus

Flexor Pollicis Longus

Pronator Quadratus
Gosling (1991). Slide Atlas of Human Anatomy. 2nd ed.
j.aka@ed.ac.uk
Anterior compartment
Deep
Gosling (1991). Slide Atlas of Human Anatomy. 2nd ed.
FDP Perforating muscle
FDS splits to allow FDP to pass beneath

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Anterior compartment
FDS/FDP
Gosling (1991). Slide Atlas of Human Anatomy. 2nd ed.
j.aka@ed.ac.uk
Anterior compartment
FDS/FDP
Gosling (1991). Slide Atlas of Human Anatomy. 2nd ed.
Anterior compartment
Nerve Supply
Pronator teres
Flexor carpi radialis
Palmaris longus
Flexor carpi ulnaris

Flexor digitorum superficialis

Flexor digitorum profundus
Flexor pollicis longus
Pronator quadratus



Superficial
Deep

Intermediate
ALL: MEDIAN NERVE
Except.
j.aka@ed.ac.uk
Anterior compartment
Nerve Supply
Pronator teres
Flexor carpi radialis
Palmaris longus
Flexor carpi ulnaris

Flexor digitorum superficialis

Flexor digitorum profundus
Flexor pollicis longus
Pronator quadratus



Superficial
Deep

Intermediate
ALL: MEDIAN NERVE
Except.
FCU & FDP
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j.aka@ed.ac.uk
Anterior compartment
Vessels & Nerves
Gosling (1991). Slide Atlas of Human Anatomy. 2nd ed.
4. Cubital Fossa
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Cubital Fossa
j.aka@ed.ac.uk
Gosling (1991). Slide Atlas of Human Anatomy. 2nd ed.

Cubital Fossa
Boundaries

j.aka@ed.ac.uk
Gosling (1991). Slide Atlas of Human Anatomy. 2nd ed.

Cubital Fossa
Boundaries

j.aka@ed.ac.uk
Gosling (1991). Slide Atlas of Human Anatomy. 2nd ed.
Lateral: Brachioradialis

Medial: Pronator Teres

Superior: imaginary line connecting
epicondyles of humerus

Floor: Brachialis & Supinator

Roof: Bicipital aponeurosis &
antebrachial fascia
Cubital Fossa
Content
j.aka@ed.ac.uk Gosling (1991). Slide Atlas of Human Anatomy. 2nd ed.
Cubital Fossa
Content
j.aka@ed.ac.uk
Tendon of biceps brachii

Brachial artery

Brachial veins

Median nerve

Gosling (1991). Slide Atlas of Human Anatomy. 2nd ed.
Cubital Fossa
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5. Brachial Plexus
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Brachial Plexus
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j.aka@ed.ac.uk
Brachial Plexus
j.aka@ed.ac.uk
Brachial Plexus
Remember:

In the cadaver trace from
distal to proximal!

Make use of the M to locate
the median, ulnar and
musculocutaneous nerves!

Radial nerve and posterior
cord: posterior to Axillary
artery!
Summary Innervation
Musculocutaneous n
Radial n

Ulnar n



Median n
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Summary Innervation
Musculocutaneous n Anterior compartment of arm
Radial n All extensors, no intrinsic hand!

Ulnar n FCU & FDP
4
th
& 5
th
lumbricals
All interossei
All hypothenar
Adductor pollicis
Median n All Flexors in forearm
NOT FCU & FDP
Thenar muscles except AdP
2
nd
& 3
rd
Lumbricals

j.aka@ed.ac.uk
Summary Innervation
Musculocutaneous n Anterior compartment of arm
Radial n All extensors, no intrinsic hand!

Ulnar n FCU & FDP
4
th
& 5
th
lumbricals
All interossei
All hypothenar
Adductor pollicis
Median n All Flexors in forearm
NOT FCU & FDP
Thenar muscles except AdP
2
nd
& 3
rd
Lumbricals

j.aka@ed.ac.uk
Lateral Cord
Posterior Cord
Medial Cord
Lateral & Medial Cords
Review
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Bones of the arm and forearm
Muscles of the arm
Flexor Compartment of Forearm
Cubital Fossa
Brachial Plexus and Innervation

Questions?
J.Aka@ed.ac.uk
References
j.aka@ed.ac.uk
Moore KL, Dalley AF, Agur AMR (2014). Clinically Oriented Anatomy. 7th ed. Philadelphia:
Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.

Platzer, W (2004). Color Atlas of Human Anatomy, Vol.1 Locomotor System. Stuttgart:
Thieme.

All dissection Photos from:
Gosling JA, Harris PF, Humpherson JR, Whitmore IV, Willan PLT (1991). Slide Atlas of Human
Anatomy. 2nd ed. London: Elsevier Health Sciences.

All illustrations from:
Drake et al. Grays Anatomy for Students. Elsevier www.studentconsult.com