Fig. 82. Left Antecubital Space. Superficial Layer. 



Tlie Skin over the knver part of the arm, and over the upper part of the 



forearm has been removed. The Superficial Fascia covering the Biceps and 



tlie Superficial Veins and Nerves have also been taken away, but the Bicipital 



Fascia and its expansions in the forearm are left intact. 



The superficial and broad Bicipital Fascia ends by an expansion into 

 the Deep Fascia of the forearm and by blending with the Periosteum of the Ulna. 

 The true Tendon of the Biceps is inserted into the Radius. The Superficial Muscles 

 which arise from the Internal Condyle are intimately connected with the Deep 

 Fascia and the Bicipital Fascia in the upper part of the forearm. 



Superficial Veins. At the upper end of the forearm 2 constant and one 

 not-constant Veins are found: the Ulnar and Radial Veins, and the Median Vein. 

 The latter vein divides into the Median Basilic, and the Median Cephalic Veins, the 

 former joining the Ulnar forms the Basilic Vein, the latter joining the Radial 

 forms the Cephalic Vein. These veins vary. As a rule, the Median Basilic Vein 

 is the largest vein in the Antecubital Space, and the most suitable for Phlebotomy. 



The Cephalic Vein runs upwards in the arm and disappears between the 

 Pectoralis Major and Deltoid Muscles, to join the Axillary Vein (cf. Fig. 75 and 76). 

 It thus forms a collateral venous channel. The Basilic Vein joins the Venae 

 Comites of the Brachial Artery and then forms the Axillar}' Vein, which, higher 

 up, becomes the Subclavian (cf. AxiUa). 



The Median Basilic Vein is separated from the Brachial Artery b}' the 

 Bicipital Fascia. The Arter}^ can therefore be injured in Phlebotomy, and this 

 injury may be followed by an Arterio-venous Aneurysm. 



The 2 chief Cutaneous Nerves of the forearm, the Cutaneous Branch of 

 the Musculo-Cutaneous Nerve and the Internal Cutaneous Nerve become super- 

 ficial at the Antecubital Space. The latter nerve runs with the Basilic and Ulnar 

 Veins. Its trunk and its branches lie in '/sth of all cases at a slightly deeper level 

 than the veins. The nerve may have divided into 2 large branches, where it 

 pierces the fascia of the arm. 



