Surface Landmarks of Forearm

Topic Overview

Surface Landmarks of Forearm 

Anterior Aspect

1. Medial Epicondyle of Humerus

   • Easily palpable at medial side of elbow.

   • Common origin for superficial flexors of forearm.

2. Lateral Epicondyle

   • Common origin for extensor muscles of the forearm.

3. Biceps Tendon

   • Prominent when forearm is flexed.

   • Lies lateral to the brachial artery in cubital fossa.

4. Median Cubital Vein

   • Lies superficial to the bicipital aponeurosis — used for venipuncture.

5. Flexor Muscles

   • When forearm flexed, tendons of flexor carpi radialis, palmaris longus, and flexor carpi ulnaris become visible at the wrist.

6. Palmaris Longus Tendon

   • Lies superficial and central at wrist (absent in 10–15% individuals).

   • Medial to flexor carpi radialis tendon and lateral to flexor carpi ulnaris tendon.

7. Radial Artery

   • Palpable in lower lateral forearm just lateral to flexor carpi radialis tendon → radial pulse site.

8. Ulnar Artery

   • Lies deep in forearm; palpable just lateral to pisiform bone at wrist.

Posterior Aspect

1. Olecranon Process

   • Prominent bony point of elbow.

   • Gives insertion to triceps tendon.

2. Dorsal Tubercle of Radius (Lister’s Tubercle)

   • Palpable on dorsum of distal radius — separates extensor tendons of thumb.

3. Tendons Visible During Extension

   • Extensor digitorum, extensor carpi radialis longus and brevis, and extensor pollicis longus can be seen as ridges on dorsum of wrist.

4. Snuff Box (Anatomical Snuffbox)

   • Triangular depression on lateral wrist bounded by:

     • Anteriorly: Abductor pollicis longus, extensor pollicis brevis.

     • Posteriorly: Extensor pollicis longus.

     • Floor: Scaphoid bone and radial artery.

   • Clinical note: Site of tenderness in scaphoid fracture.

Bony Landmarks of Wrist and Hand

• Styloid process of radius → Lateral; more distal than ulnar styloid.

• Styloid process of ulna → Medial; attachment for ulnar collateral ligament.

• Pisiform bone → Easily palpable on medial wrist.

• Thenar eminence → Bulge at base of thumb.

• Hypothenar eminence → Bulge at base of little finger.

• Flexion creases on palm correspond to underlying joints and tendons.

Clinical Notes on Surface Landmarks

• Radial pulse → felt between tendons of brachioradialis and flexor carpi radialis.

• Ulnar pulse → lateral to pisiform.

• Venipuncture site → median cubital vein in cubital fossa.

• Fracture scaphoid → tenderness in anatomical snuffbox.

• Epicondylitis:

  • Lateral epicondylitis → tennis elbow (extensor overuse).

  • Medial epicondylitis → golfer’s elbow (flexor overuse).