Anatomical snuff box

The anatomical snuff box is a depression on the back of the hand, just beneath the thumb, that is formed by two tendons. When snuff was popular, this small compartment could be used as a place to hold the tobacco for snorting.

The two tendons it consists of are the tendons of the muscles extensor pollicis brevis[?] (which is closer to the palm), and extensor pollicis longus[?]. The bodies of these muscles are quite thin, and are in the distal half of the forearm.

The radial artery[?] runs on the floor of the anatomical snuff box. The carpal bones, scaphoid and trapezium can be palpated within the snuff box, so can the styloid process of the radius.