ANATOMICAL SNUFFBOX ⠀ ⠀ THE ANATOMICAL SNUFFBOX (also known as the radial fossa or tabatière anatomique), is a triangular depression found on the radial side of the wrist (lateral aspect of the dorsum of the hand). It is formed between tendons that go to the thumb (located at the level of the carpal bones) and best seen when the thumb is abducted and/or extended. ⠀ In the past, this depression was used to hold snuff (ground tobacco) before inhaling via the nose – hence it was given the name ‘snuffbox’. ⠀ Borders: As the snuffbox is triangularly shaped, it has three borders, a floor and a roof: ▪️Ulnar (medial) border: Tendon of the extensor pollicis longus ▪️Radial (lateral) border: Tendons of the abductor pollicis longus and extensor pollicis brevis ▪️Proximal border: Styloid process of the radius ▪️Floor: Carpal bones, scaphoid and trapezium ▪️Roof: Skin (Note: The terms medial and lateral are used in the context of the anatomical position, where the forearm is supinated. Take care when describing these borders, as when observing a patient’s anatomical snuffbox, the forearm is usually pronated). It is important to note that the tendons of the muscles form the borders, not the muscles themselves. ⠀ Contents: The main contents of the anatomical snuffbox are the radial artery, a branch of the radial nerve, and the cephalic vein: ▪️Radial artery: crosses the floor of the anatomical snuffbox, then turns medially and travels between the heads of the adductor pollicis muscle. ➡️ The radial pulse can be palpated in some individuals by placing two fingers on the proximal portion of the anatomical snuffbox. ▪️Superficial branch of the radial nerve: found in the skin and subcutaneous tissue of the anatomical snuffbox. It innervates the dorsal surface of the lateral three and half digits, and the associated area on the back of the hand. ▪️Cephalic vein: arises from the dorsal venous network of the hand and crosses the anatomical snuffbox to travel up the anterolateral aspect of the forearm.