General Description of Body Layers
We shall approach the study of the upper limb as if you were going to dissect
it on a cadaver. Before removing the skin and superficial fascia from a
region, it is usually necessary to study the bony structures in the area.
The cadaver dissector (or the surgeon) should become aware of the layers
that they will encounter when cleaning a region. Below is a diagram of
a cross section through the upper limb to help point out the layers:
The superficial fascia varies as to thickness. In overweight persons,
this layer can become 4 to 5 inches thick. This is also the layer through which
the superficial (cutaneous) vessels and nerves travel. So when we talk
about cutaneous or superficial vessels and nerves, these are the ones we
are talking about.
Superficial Landmarks of the Back
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