Bicipital aponeurosis
Encyclopedia
The bicipital aponeurosis (also known as lacertus fibrosus) is a broad aponeurosis
of the biceps brachii which is located in the cubital fossa
of the elbow and separates superficial from deep structures in much of the fossa.
The bicipital aponeurosis originates from the distal insertion of the biceps brachii. While the tendon of the biceps inserts on the radial tuberosity, the aponeurosis reinforces the cubital fossa
, and helps to protect the brachial artery
and the median nerve
running underneath. This protection is important during venipuncture
(taking blood) from the median cubital vein
.
Some individuals (about 3% of the population) have a superficial ulnar artery that runs superficially to the bicipital aponeurosis instead of underneath it. These individuals are at risk for accidental injury to the ulnar artery during venipuncture.
Aponeurosis
Aponeuroses are layers of flat broad tendons. They have a shiny, whitish-silvery color, are histologically similar to tendons, and are very sparingly supplied with blood vessels and nerves. When dissected, aponeuroses are papery, and peel off by sections...
of the biceps brachii which is located in the cubital fossa
Cubital fossa
The cubital fossa is the triangular area on the anterior view of the elbow of a human or other hominid animal. It is colloquially known as the "elbow pit".-Boundaries:...
of the elbow and separates superficial from deep structures in much of the fossa.
The bicipital aponeurosis originates from the distal insertion of the biceps brachii. While the tendon of the biceps inserts on the radial tuberosity, the aponeurosis reinforces the cubital fossa
Cubital fossa
The cubital fossa is the triangular area on the anterior view of the elbow of a human or other hominid animal. It is colloquially known as the "elbow pit".-Boundaries:...
, and helps to protect the brachial artery
Brachial artery
The brachial artery is the major blood vessel of the arm.It is the continuation of the axillary artery beyond the lower margin of teres major muscle. It continues down the ventral surface of the arm until it reaches the cubital fossa at the elbow. It then divides into the radial and ulnar arteries...
and the median nerve
Median nerve
The median nerve is a nerve in humans and other animals. It is in the upper limb. It is one of the five main nerves originating from the brachial plexus....
running underneath. This protection is important during venipuncture
Venipuncture
In medicine, venepuncture, venopuncture or venipuncture is the process of obtaining intravenous access for the purpose of intravenous therapy or for blood sampling of venous blood. This procedure is performed by medical laboratory scientists, medical practitioners, some EMTs, paramedics,...
(taking blood) from the median cubital vein
Median cubital vein
In human anatomy, the median cubital vein is a superficial vein of the upper limb. It connects the basilic and cephalic vein and is often used for venipuncture . It lies in the cubital fossa superficial to the bicipital aponeurosis.There exists a fair amount of variation of the median cubital vein...
.
Some individuals (about 3% of the population) have a superficial ulnar artery that runs superficially to the bicipital aponeurosis instead of underneath it. These individuals are at risk for accidental injury to the ulnar artery during venipuncture.
External links
- Diagram at radsource.edu (seventh diagram from top) - "Flexor Region of the Forearm: Muscles that Border the Cubital Fossa"