It is the region where blood is commonly drawn from since superficial veins cross through it. It is the site where blood pressure is measured. The stethoscope is placed over the brachial artery in the fossa. It is also an area used to palpate for the brachial pulse.
Word origin: ante- » prefix meaning "before," from L. ante (prep. and adv.) "before, in front of, opposite" + cubital » late ME < L cubitālis + fossa » L: ditch, trench, fosse, short for fossa (terra), dug or dug out (earth).