Anatomical Relations
The brachial fascia is continuous superiorly with the deltoid fascia, inferiorly with the antebrachial fascia, and medially with the pectoral and infraspinous fascia. At the elbow joint, the brachial fascia attaches to the epicondyles of the humerus and the olecranon of the ulna. Inferiorly, the fascia is continuous with the antebrachial fascia.
At its medial aspect, the basilic vein, superficial lymphatic vessels of the arm, and branches of the brachial cutaneous nerves pierce the fascia.
Related parts of the anatomy
Structure
The brachial fascia is thin anteriorly and is loosely attached to the muscles of the anterior compartment of the arm. Posteriorly, the fascia is thick and forms a more robust covering of the muscles in the posterior compartment of the arm. The fascia is thickest distally, where it becomes continuous with the antebrachial fascia.
Function
The brachial fascia ensures the muscles of the arm are completely contained within anterior or posterior neuromuscular compartments. Each compartment house’s muscles of similar function and common innervation. Muscles in the anterior compartment of the arm are mainly flexors (biceps brachii, brachialis, and coracobrachialis), while muscles in the posterior compartment are mainly extensors (triceps brachii and anconeus). The fascial compartments of the upper limb are important clinically because they contain and direct the flow and spread of infection and hemorrhages in the limb (Standring, 2016).
References
Standring, S. (2016) Gray's Anatomy: The Anatomical Basis of Clinical Practice. Gray's Anatomy Series 41st edn.: Elsevier Limited.
