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What is the Opposite Side of Your Elbow Called?

Published in Anatomy 1 min read

The opposite side of your elbow is called the cubital fossa, also known as the antecubital fossa.

Understanding the Cubital Fossa

The cubital fossa is a triangular-shaped depression located on the anterior (front) surface of the elbow joint. It's essentially the inner bend of your elbow.

  • Location: It's easily visible and palpable (able to be felt) on the front of the elbow.

  • Significance: The cubital fossa is a crucial anatomical area. It's where doctors and nurses commonly draw blood (phlebotomy) and measure blood pressure, as the major blood vessels of the arm (brachial artery) pass through it.

  • Alternative Name: Antecubital fossa. "Antecubital" means "in front of the elbow" (from the Latin cubitus, meaning elbow).

Therefore, while there isn't a single definitive word for "the back of the elbow," the cubital fossa (or antecubital fossa) describes the inner bend or front of the elbow, which is arguably the opposite side in common understanding. The back of the elbow itself is simply referred to as the posterior aspect of the elbow.

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