Surface Anatomy and Skin Incisions for Posterior Forearm and Dorsum of the Head By Margene Fallon

Surface Anatomy Palpations: Olecranon Styloid process Extensor pollicis brevis Abductor pollicis longus “Anatomical snuff box” Bodies of metacarpal bones

Make an incision down the Incisions The upper arm incisions will continue downward to the wrist. A circular incision will be made at the wrist. Make an incision down the midline of dorsum of the hand to the root of the middle finger (A to B). Make transverse incisions across the knuckles to the lateral and medial margins of hand (B to C, then B to D). D B C A

Superficial Nerves and Vessels Forearm and Dorsum of Hand: Radial nerve Lateral and medial antebrachial cutaneous nerve Cephalic nerve Basilic nerve

Anatomical Snuff Box Small fossa formed by the tendons of the extensor pollicis longus, abductor pollicis longus, and extensor pollicis brevis.

Caution Cutaneous nerves of the forearm and hand are just deep to the skin. Basilic and Cephalic veins are also only “skin deep”.