The upper limb is separated from the trunk by sulcus deltoideopectoralis anteriorly, posterior border of the deltoid posteriorly, and the line connecting the lower edges of the pectoralis major and latissimus dorsi inferiorly.
The upper limb can be divided into following regions:
Besides, there are the common regions for the upper limb and chest (infraclavicular region) and for the upper limb and back (scapular region).
Borders: superior – acromial end of the clavicle, acromion, outer third of the scapular spine; anterior and posterior borders correspond to the edges of the deltoid muscle.
Layers:
The subdeltoid space.
It is between the deep layer of the deltoid fascia and proximal end of the humerus. It contains the subdeltoid synovial bursa; the tendons of the suoraspinatis, infraspinatus and teres minor which are attached to the greater tubercle of the humerus; and the posterior circumflex humeral artery and vein and axillary nerve. The space is continuous with subtrapezoid space.
Borders: anterior — the border of the pectoralis major; posterior – the border of the latissimus dorsi; medial — the line connecting the lower edges of the pectoralis major and latissimus dorsi over the III rib; lateral — the line connecting the lower edges of the pectoralis major and latissimus dorsi over the inner edge of the upper arm.
Layers:
The axillary space.
Anterior wall: clavipectoral fascia covering the pectoralis minor;
Medial wall: thoracic layer of the pectoral fascia covering the serratus anterior;
Lateral wall: the brachial fascia covering the biceps brachii and coracobrachialis;
Posterior wall: subscapular fascia covering the subscapular muscle.
The axillary space contains the axillary artery with its branches; the axillary vein with its tributaries; the branches of the brachial plexus; and lymph nodes.
Borders: superior – the horizontal line passing through the acromioclavicular joint; inferior – the horizontal line passing through the inferior scapular angle; medial – medial border of the scapula; lateral – the vertical line passing through the lateral point of the acromion.
Layers:
The spaces:
Supraspinous space: is between the supraspinous fascia and supraspinous fossa of the scapula; contains the supraspinatus and supracsapular vessels and nerve.
Infraspinous space: is between the infraspinous fascia and infraspinous fossa of the scapula; contains the infraspinatus, teres minor, circumflex scapular vessels and branch of the transverse cervical artery with accompanying vein.
Antescapular space which is divided into anterior slit (between serratus anterior and intercostal muscles) and posterior slit (between subscapularis and serratus anterior).
Borders: superior – clavicle; medial – external edge of the sternum; inferior – horizontal line passing through the III intercostal space; lateral – anterior edge of the deltoid.
Layers:
Superficial subpectoral space: is between the fasciae covering pectoralis major and minor; it contains the thoracoacromial vessels and lateral and medial pectoral nerves.
Deep subpectoral space: is between the fasciae covering pectoralis minor and intercostal muscles.
The subpectoral spaces both connect to the axillary space.
The triangles: clavipectoral is between the clavicle and upper edge of the pectoralis minor; it contains the subclavian vessels and the proximal parts of the axillary vessels. Pectoral triangle corresponds to the pectoralis minor; subpectoral is between the lower edges of the pectoralis minor and major. All triangles contain the axillary artery and its branches, axillary vein and its tributaries, and the branches of the brachial plexus.
Borders: superior the line connecting the lower edges of the pectoralis major and latissimus dorsi over the inner edge of the upper arm; inferior – about 3 cm above the humeral epicondyles.
The anterior and posterior brachial regions are separated from each other by the lines passing alongside the biceps brachii.
Layers of anterior brachial region:
Layers of posterior brachial region:
The brachial fascia forms medial and lateral intermuscular septa which are attached to the humerus and separate the anterior muscle compartment from the posterior one.
In the anterior brachial region in the medial bicipital sulcus between the superficial fascia and brachial fascia, the basilica vein and medial cutaneous brachial and anterbrachial nerves pass. In the same sulcus, the brachial artery, brachial veins and median nerve enveloped by the brachial fascia pass. In the lateral bicipital sulcus between the superficial fascia and brachial fascia, the cephalic vein passes.
Borders: superior – about 3 cm above the humeral epicondyles; inferior — about 3 cm below the humeral epicondyles.
Layers of anterior cubital region:
Under the superficial fascia, superficial lymph nodes are placed and the superficial veins and nerves pass: cephalic and basilic veins, intermedial cubital vein, lateral and medial cutaneous anterbrachial nerves.
Under the brachial and anterbrachial fasciae between the muscles, the following vessels and nerves pass: brachial artery, radial and ulnar arteries and accompanying veins, and also median and radial nerves.
Layers of posterior cubital region:
Borders: superior — about 3 cm below the humeral epicondyles; inferior – 1 cm above the styloid processes.
The antebrachial region is divided into anterior and posterior by the lines connecting the humeral epicondyles with the styloid processes.
Layers of anterior antebrachial region:
Under the superficial fascia, the superficial veins and nerves pass: cephalic and basilic veins, lateral and medial cutaneous anterbrachial nerves.
Under the brachial and anterbrachial fasciae between the muscles, the following vessels and nerves pass: radial and ulnar arteries and accompanying veins, and also median and ulnar nerves and superficial branch of the radial nerve.
Layers of posterior antebrachial region:
Under the superficial fascia, the superficial veins pass (the tributaries of the cephalic and basilic veins).
Between the muscles of the first and second layers there is a space connecting with the Parona-Pirogov`s space through the openings in the interosseous membrane and containing the deep branch of the radial nerve and posterior interosseous vessels.
Borders: superior -1 cm above the styloid processes; inferior – the line passing through the distal transverse skin fold of the carpus.
The carpal region is divided into anterior and posterior by the continuations of the lines connecting the humeral epicondyles with the styloid processes.
Layers of anterior carpal region:
Under the superficial fascia, the superficial veins and nerves pass: cephalic and basilic veins, lateral cutaneous anterbrachial nerve and palmar branch of the median nerve.
The content of the carpal canals: see the table «Topography of limbs».
Layers of posterior carpal region:
The content of the extensor osseo-fibrous canals:
Under the superficial fascia, the superficial veins and nerves pass: tributaries of the cephalic and basilic veins, superficial branch of the radial nerve, dorsal branch of the ulnar nerve.
Borders: proximal – the line passing through the distal transverse skin fold of the carpus; distal – the palmodigital fold
Layers of palmar region of the hand:
In the middle of the palm:
In the lateral region:
In the lateral region:
Under the palmar aponeurosis there is a superficial palamar arterial arch and the branches of the median and ulnar nerves; under the deep layer of the palmar fascia there is a deep palmar arterial arch.
The superficial layer of the palmar fascia gives the intermuscular septa into the depth of the palm. These septa separate three spaces in the palm: thenar space (between the superficial layer of the palmar fascia and the I metacarpal bone), hypothenar space (between the superficial layer of the palmar fascia and the V metacarpal bone) and midpalmar space (between the palmar aponeurosis and the deep layer of the palmar fascia).
Layers of dorsal region of the hand:
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