Anatomical snuff box
Last revised by Dr Matt Skalski ◉ on 21 May 2017
Citation, DOI & article data
Citation:
Knipe, H., Skalski, M. Anatomical snuff box. Reference article, Radiopaedia.org. (accessed on 25 Jun 2022) https://doi.org/10.53347/rID-22107
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rID:
22107
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25 times by 8 users - see full revision history
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Synonyms:
- Anatomical snuffbox
The anatomical snuff box is a surface anatomy feature. It appears as a triangular depression on the lateral surface of the wrist on full extension of the thumb.
Gross anatomy
Boundaries
- medial: tendons of the extensor pollicis longus
- lateral: tendons of the
- extensor pollicis brevis
- and more laterally abductor pollicis longus
- floor
- scaphoid, trapezium bones
- tendons of the extensor carpi radialis longus and brevis
- base of 1st metacarpal can be palpated distally and the radial styloid process can be palpated proximally
Contents
- radial artery
- superficial branch of the radial nerve
- cephalic vein (variable)
History and etymology
In the days when snuff use was popular, the user would place a small amount of snuff from the container into the "anatomical" snuff box (as opposed to the physical snuff box which he carried around in his pocket, hence "anatomical" ), close one nostril with an index finger and sniff the snuff up the open nostril. It was common practice to offer snuff to those in your company.
References
- 1. Moore KL, II AF, Agur AM. Clinically Oriented Anatomy, Hardcover Edition. (2009) ISBN:1608311813. Read it at Google Books - Find it at Amazon
- 2. Snell RS. Clinical Anatomy by Regions, 8e. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. (2008) ISBN:0781764041. Read it at Google Books - Find it at Amazon
Related articles: Anatomy: Upper limb
-
skeleton of the upper limb
- clavicle
- scapula
- humerus
- radius
- ulna
- hand
- accessory ossicles of the upper limb
- accessory ossicles of the shoulder
- accessory ossicles of the elbow
-
accessory ossicles of the wrist (mnemonic)
- os centrale carpi
- os epilunate
- os epitriquetrum
- os styloideum
- os hamuli proprium
- lunula
- os triangulare
- trapezium secondarium
- os paratrapezium
- os radiostyloideum (persistent radial styloid)
- joints of the upper limb
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pectoral girdle
-
shoulder joint
- articulations
- associated structures
- joint capsule
- bursae
- ligaments
- movements
- scapulothoracic joint
-
glenohumeral joint
- arm flexion
- arm extension
- arm abduction
- arm adduction
- arm internal rotation (medial rotation)
- arm external rotation (lateral rotation)
- circumduction
- arterial supply - scapular anastomosis
- ossification centers
-
shoulder joint
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elbow joint
- proximal radioulnar joint
- ligaments
- associated structures
- movements
- alignment
- arterial supply - elbow anastomosis
- development
-
wrist joint
- articulations
-
ligaments
- intrinsic ligaments
- extrinsic ligaments
- radioscaphoid ligament
- dorsal intercarpal ligament
- dorsal radiotriquetral ligament
- dorsal radioulnar ligament
- volar radioulnar ligament
- radioscaphocapitate ligament
- long radiolunate ligament
- Vickers ligament
- short radiolunate ligament
- ulnolunate ligament
- ulnotriquetral ligament
- ulnocapitate ligament
- ulnar collateral ligament
- associated structures
- extensor retinaculum
- flexor retinaculum
- joint capsule
- movements
- alignment
- ossification centers
-
hand joints
- articulations
- carpometacarpal joint
-
metacarpophalangeal joints
- palmar ligament (plate)
- collateral ligament
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interphalangeal joints
- palmar ligament (plate)
- collateral ligament
- movements
- ossification centers
- articulations
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pectoral girdle
- spaces of the upper limb
- muscles of the upper limb
- shoulder girdle
- anterior compartment of the arm
- posterior compartment of the arm
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anterior compartment of the forearm
- superficial
- intermediate
- deep
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posterior compartment of the forearm (extensors)
- superficial
- deep
- muscles of the hand
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accessory muscles
- elbow
- volar wrist midline
- palmaris longus profundus
- aberrant palmaris longus
- volar wrist radial-side
- accessory flexor digitorum superficialis indicis
- flexor indicis profundus
- flexor carpi radialis vel profundus
- accessory head of the flexor pollicis longus (Gantzer muscle, common)
- volar wrist ulnar-side
- dorsal wrist
- blood supply to the upper limb
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arteries
- subclavian artery (mnemonic)
- axillary artery
- brachial artery (proximal portion)
- ulnar artery
- radial artery
- veins
-
arteries
- innervation of the upper limb
- intercostobrachial nerve
-
brachial plexus (mnemonic)
- branches from the roots
- branches from the trunks
- branches from the cords
- lateral cord
- posterior cord
- medial cord
- terminal branches
- lymphatic drainage of the upper limb