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# Cubital nodes

The cubital (epitrochlear) nodes sit just above the inner elbow beside the basilic vein; they filter lymph from the little-finger side of the hand and forearm.

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## What it is

One or two nodes just above the medial epicondyle, beside the basilic vein (supratrochlear), and a few deeper at the elbow.

## What it does

Filter lymph from the ring and little fingers and the inner forearm, then pass it to the lateral axillary nodes.

## Key points

- A palpable epitrochlear node is uncommon in health: it points to an infection of the hand or forearm or to a systemic cause such as lymphoma, HIV infection or secondary syphilis
- A small, inconstant deep cubital node also lies in the [cubital fossa](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/cubital-fossa/) near the division of the [brachial artery](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/brachial-artery/)

## Key facts

**Where**
Supratrochlear: 2–3 cm above the medial epicondyle beside the basilic vein; cubital: deep at the elbow

**Drains**
Ring and little fingers; medial (ulnar) hand and forearm

**Into**
Lateral axillary nodes (along the basilic and [brachial veins](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/brachial-veins/))

## Relations

**Course**
Lymph from the ulnar side of the hand climbs the medial forearm with the [basilic vein](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/basilic-vein/); from the nodes, efferents pierce the deep fascia with the vein and reach the [lateral axillary nodes](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/lateral-axillary-nodes/)

**Superficial**
[Skin](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/skin/) and subcutaneous fat

**Deep**
Deep fascia over [brachialis](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/brachialis/) and the medial head of the triceps, with the brachial vessels, the [median nerve](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/median-nerve/) and the [ulnar nerve](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/ulnar-nerve/) beneath it

**Below**
The medial epicondyle, about 2–4 cm below

## How to find it

The examiner holds the person's hand as in a handshake with the elbow bent to about 90° and, with the other hand, feels the groove between biceps and triceps about 2–3 cm above the medial epicondyle (some texts: 3–4 cm).

## Common problems

- Felt above the inner elbow when the hand or forearm is infected.

## Clinical notes

- Enlarge with infections of the ring and little fingers and the ulnar side of the hand (paronychia, felon, wounds), often with red streaks of lymphangitis up the forearm
- Cat-scratch disease after scratches on the hand or forearm often enlarges these nodes
- Enlarged with other node groups in lymphoma, HIV infection, secondary syphilis and sarcoidosis
- A lump above the medial epicondyle may be a node, a lipoma or a nerve sheath tumour; ultrasound tells them apart

## Test yourself

Think of the answer, then tap the question to see it.

## Where are the supratrochlear (epitrochlear) nodes and how are they examined?

A few centimetres above the medial epicondyle beside the basilic vein; felt in the groove between biceps and triceps with the elbow bent.

## Which part of the hand drains to the epitrochlear nodes?

The ring and little fingers and the ulnar side of the hand and forearm.

## Into which nodes do the cubital nodes drain?

Into the lateral axillary nodes, along the basilic and brachial veins.

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Educational information, not medical advice. For any symptom, see a health professional.

## Its names

**Official Latin (TA2)**
nodi cubitales; nodi supratrochleares TA2 5245

**Official Spanish (DeCS)**
Nódulos linfáticos cubitales

**English (TA2)**
Cubital nodes

**Also called**
supratrochlear nodes · epitrochlear nodes

## Related

- [Basilic vein](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/basilic-vein/)

Sources: Terminologia Anatomica (TA2); Anatomía humana (4.ª ed.), tomo 1, cap. 61: Vasos y ganglios linfáticos del miembro superior.

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Representative model, for educational purposes only.

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Source: https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/cubital-nodes/
License: CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Cite as: DurgiPedia (durgical.com), https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/cubital-nodes/