Hand

An easy way to remember the bones of the hand is the following mnemonic (starting radially): Some Lovers Try Positions That They Can’t Handle (Scaphoid, Lunate, Triquetrum, Pisiform, Trapezium, Trapezoid, Capitate, Hamate) Muscles of flexion, extension, adduction & abduction Palmar aponeurosis Thick central layer of deep fascia, which attaches to flexor retinaculum distally Triangle-shaped from palmar longus tendon downwards, distally splitting into […]

Anterior & posterior forearm

The forearm has loads of things to remember and so many muscles, which helps with the super-mobile hand movements! Let’s start by looking at the bones of the forearm. Anterior forearm Superficial muscles Intermediate muscles Flexor digitorum superficialis is the only muscle in this compartment Important because the median nerve and ulnar artery passed between […]

Anterior & posterior arm

Upper arm (or arm) is the area between the shoulder joint & elbow joint. It only has 4 muscles – 3 anterior muscles and 1 in the posterior compartment. Anterior compartment An easy way to remember the muscles is the mnemonic BBC – biceps, brachialis and coracobrachialis. Biceps brachii Two headed muscle Origin – […]

Shoulder

The shoulder is a complex area in the body and contains an incredibly mobile ball & socket joint, which comes at the expense of the joint stability. Basically, many things can go wrong and it is important to understand how the joint works properly to diagnose and help patients well! Let’s start by revising bony […]

Axilla

Axilla is the area that lies underneath the glenohumeral joint. It is significant because it contains the axillary artery and the neurovascular bundle known as brachial plexus. Borders Pyramid shaped (with apex & 5 other borders) Apex (axillary inlet) – lateral border of 1st rib, superior border of scapula & posterior border of clavicle Lateral […]

Pectoral region

Pectoral region is a part of the anterior chest wall. FRCEM curriculum also includes trapezius & latissimus dorsi in this section, which are posterior chest wall muscles. Pectoralis major The most superficial of the pectoral muscles Large, fan shaped Origin – sternal half of the clavicle, upper half of sternum (superior 6 costal cartilages) and aponeurosis […]

let the scribbles begin

Hello there! My name is Anna and I am an emergency medicine trainee in the north east of the United Kingdom. If you’re anything like me, there may be times when you leave work full of adrenaline of all you have achieved and buzzing from all the people you have helped, and then there are […]