Lateral Antebrachial Cutaneous Nerve, Posterior View

Description

Seen from a posterior-lateral angle, the lateral antebrachial cutaneous nerve is traced along the radial (lateral) aspect of the right forearm after emerging in the cubital fossa as the terminal sensory continuation of the musculocutaneous nerve. Proximally, the nerve lies anterior to the distal humerus and then courses superficial to the brachioradialis as it descends toward the distal forearm. The radius remains lateral to the ulna throughout, with the elbow joint centered at the transition between arm and forearm. A single prominent vessel is rendered in blue, running roughly parallel to the neurovascular plane along the lateral forearm. For teaching, this view makes sense because the lateral antebrachial cutaneous nerve is often confused with the superficial branch of the radial nerve when learners try to map sensory territories on the dorsolateral forearm. Small, but clinically specific: venipuncture and cannulation at the cephalic vein near the lateral cubital fossa can irritate this nerve, producing dysesthesia over the lateral forearm, and it is also at risk during distal biceps tendon repair and other anterior elbow exposures where the nerve crosses into the subcutaneous tissue. Use this plate in upper limb anatomy labs, peripheral nerve block teaching (field blocks for lateral forearm procedures), and in surgical or emergency medicine education materials covering iatrogenic nerve injury around the cubital fossa and cephalic vein access. Anatomical accuracy verified by SciePro's Medical Advisory Board.