Overview
The anatomical snuff box (radial fossa) is a triangular depression that becomes pronounced on the lateral aspect of the dorsum of the hand during thumb extension. Its name originates from its historical use as the surface for sniffing powdered tobacco.
Boundaries
- Medial border (ulnar side) – the tendon of the extensor pollicis longus
- Lateral border (radial side) – pair of parallel and intimate tendons; the extensor pollicis brevis and the abductor pollicis longus
- Proximal border (base) – styloid process of the radius
- Distal border (apex) – convergence of tendons extensor pollicis longus and extensor polllicis brevis
- Floor – trapezium and scaphoid
- Roof – skin
Contents
- Radial artery – crosses the floor of the anatomical snuffbox, then turns medially and travels between the heads of the adductor pollicis muscle.
- Superficial branch of the radial nerve – found in the skin an subcutaneous tissue of the anatomical snuffbox. It innervates the dorsal surface of the lateral three and half digits, and the associated area on the back of the hand
- Cephalic vein – arises from the dorsal venous network of the hand and crosses the anatomical snuffbox to travel up the anterolateral aspect of the forearm.