cubital

Cubital is an anatomical term relating to the elbow or the region of the forearm near the elbow. The word derives from the Latin cubitus, meaning elbow. In medical use, cubital describes structures or regions associated with the elbow, including the anterior elbow area and the pathways and vessels that cross or lie near the joint.

A key cubital region is the cubital fossa, a triangular depression on the anterior aspect of the elbow. Its boundaries are the brachioradialis muscle laterally, the pronator teres muscle medially, and the line between the epicondyles superiorly. The contents of the cubital fossa, from lateral to medial, include the biceps brachii tendon, the terminal part of the brachial artery and its division into the radial and ulnar arteries, and the median nerve. The superficial fascia overlying the fossa commonly contains the median cubital vein, a frequent site for venipuncture and intravenous access.

Another important cubital structure is the cubital tunnel, a canal on the medial side of the elbow through which the ulnar nerve passes behind the medial epicondyle. Ulnar nerve compression in this region leads to cubital tunnel syndrome, characterized by paresthesias and weakness in the ulnar-innervated hand, often worsened by elbow flexion.

In clinical practice, the term cubital is also used to describe the elbow region in imaging, regional anesthesia approaches, and descriptions of injuries or procedures involving the forearm and proximal forearm. The term emphasizes the anatomical relationships surrounding the elbow joint.