Anatomy practical: The anatomical snuffbox

Anatomical snuff box

Also known as radial fossa, is a triangular depression found on the lateral aspect of the dorsum of the hand

cephalic vein-anatomical snuffbox

Arises from the dorsal venous network of the hand and the crosses the anatomical snuffbox to travel up the anterolateral aspect of the forearm

Tendon

Connects muscle to bone

Superficial branch of radial nerve

Found in the skin and subcutaneous tissue of the anatomical snuffbox.

Why is it called the anatomical snuff box?

In the past, the depression was used to hold snuff (tobacco) before inhaling via the nose

dorsum

back of hand

radial artery- anatomical snuffbox

crosses the floor of the anatomical snuffbox then turns medially and travels between the heads of adductor pollicis muscle

medial border of anatomical snuffbox

extensor pollicis longus tendon

Role of the superficial branch of radial nerve

innervates the dorsal surface of the lateral three and a half digits and the associated area on the back of the hand

Where is the anatomical snuff box located?

located at the level of the carpal bones

borders of anatomical snuff box

most lateral - abductor pollicis longus m. lateral - extensor pollicus brevis m. medial - extensor pollicus longus m.

contents of anatomical snuff box

radial artery cephalic vein branch of radial nerve

anatomical snuff box is also know as what?

radial fossa

floor of anatomical snuff box

scaphoid and trapezium

Roof of anatomical snuffbox

skin

proximal border anatomical snuff box

styloid process of radius

lateral border anatomical snuff box

tendons of abductor pollicis longus and extensor pollicis brevis

borders of anatomical snuff box

ulnar border (medial): extensor pollicis longus tendon Radial border (lateral): extensor pollicis brevis and abductor pollicis longus tendons Proximal border: styloid process of radius

How can you see the anatomical snuffbox

when the thumb is extended