Arteries of the Upper Limb
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Nerves
of the upper limb | Main Anatomy
Index | Veins of the upper limb
Last updated 30 March 2006
Arteries of the Upper Limb
The
Axillary Artery
First
Part of the Axillary Artery
- This part is enclosed in the axillary
sheath along with the axillary vein.
Second Part of the Axillary Artery
The
Thoracoacromial Artery
- This is a short, wide trunk that arises from the axillary
artery deep to the pectoralis
minor muscle.
- It pierces the costocoracoid
membrane, which is part of the clavipectoral fascia.
- It then divides into 4 branches
(acromial, deltoid, pectoral, and clavicular) deep to the clavicular head of
the pectoralis
major muscle.
The
Lateral Thoracic Artery
- The lateral thoracic artery is large in women, and is an
important source of blood to the lower part of the mammary glands.
Third
Part of the Axillary Artery
The
Circumflex Humeral Arteries
- These arteries pass around the surgical
neck of the humerus
and anastomose with each other.
- The anterior circumflex humeral
artery passes laterally, deep to the coracobrachialis
and the biceps
brachii muscles.
- It gives off an ascending branch
that supplies the shoulder, but the main
artery winds around the surgical neck of the humerus.
- The larger posterior circumflex
humeral artery passes through the posterior
wall of the axilla through the quadrangular space.
- It is accompanied by the axillary nerve to
supply the surrounding muscles.
The
Subscapular Artery
- This is the largest branch of the axillary artery.
- It descends along the lateral border of the subscapularis
muscle and divides into the circumflex
scapular artery and the thoracodorsal
artery.
- The circumflex scapular artery
passes around the lateral border of the scapula to supply muscles
on the dorsum of the scapula.
- The thoracodorsal artery
continues the general course of the subscapular artery to
supply adjacent muscles, principally, the latissimus
dorsi muscle.
The
Brachial Artery
- Under the cover of the bicipital
aponeurosis, the brachial artery divides into
the radial and ulnar arteries.
- The brachial artery gives rise to many unnamed muscular
branches, mainly from its lateral side.
- The named branches of the brachial artery are the profunda brachii artery,
the nutrient humeral artery,
and the ulnar collateral arteries (superior and
inferior).
The
Profunda Brachii Artery
- This is the largest branch of the brachial artery, and has the most superior origin.
- It accompanies the radial
nerve in its posterior course in the radial groove.
- Posterior to the humerus, the profunda brachii artery (or
deep brachial artery) divides into anterior
and posterior ascending branches.
- These help form the arterial
anastomoses of the elbow region.
The Superior Ulnar Collateral Artery
The Inferior Ulnar Collateral Artery
- This arises from the brachial
artery about 5 cm proximal to the elbow crease.
- It then passes inferomedially, anterior to the medial
epicondyle of the humerus.
- Here, it joins the anastomoses of the elbow region.
The
Radial Artery
- It begins in the cubital fossa,
opposite the neck of the radius.
- The proximal part of the radial artery is overlapped by
the fleshy belly of the brachioradialis
muscle.
- The radial artery lies on muscle until it comes into
contact with the distal end of the radius, where it is covered
only by superficial and deep fascia and skin.
Branches
of the Radial Artery
- Muscular branches of the radial artery supply muscles on
the lateral side of the forearm.
The
Radial Recurrent Artery
The Superficial Palmar Branch
The Dorsal Carpal Branch
Palmar
Metacarpal Arteries
The
Ulnar Artery
Branches
of the Ulnar Artery
Anterior Ulnar Recurrent Artery
The Posterior Ulnar Recurrent Artery
- It supplies the adjacent muscles and then takes part in
the arterial anastomosis around the elbow.
The
Common Interosseous Artery
The
Anterior Interosseous Artery
- This artery passes distally on the interosseous
membrane to the proximal border of the pronator
quadratus muscles.
- Here, it pierces the membrane and continues distally to
joint the dorsal carpal arch.
The
Posterior Interosseous Artery
- This artery passes posterior between the bones of the
forearm, just proximal to the interosseous
membrane.
- It supplies the adjacent muscles and then gives off the posterior interosseous recurrent artery,
which passes superiorly, posterior to the lateral
epicondyle of the humerus
and participates in the arterial anastomosis around the
elbow.
The Palmar Carpal Branch of the Ulnar Artery
- This arises just proximal to the pisiform
bone.
- It passes across the anterior aspect of the wrist, deep
to the tendon of flexor
digitorum profundus muscle.
- This branch anastomoses with the palmar
carpal branch of the radial artery and forms
the palmar carpal arch.
The Dorsal Carpal Branch of the Ulnar Artery
- This arises just proximal to the pisiform
bone.
- It passes across the dorsal surface of the wrist, deep to
the extensor tendons, where it anastomoses with the dorsal
carpal branch of the radial artery to form the dorsal carpal arch.
The Superficial Branch of the Ulnar Artery
The Deep Palmar Branch of the Ulnar Artery
- This branch passes deeply in the hand, where it
anastomoses with the radial artery and completes the deep palmar arch.
The Superficial Palmar Arterial Arch
- It is formed mainly by the ulnar artery.
- It gives rise to 3 common palmar
digital arteries that anastomoses with the palmar metacarpal
arteries from the deep palmar arch.
- Each common palmar digital artery
divides into a pair of proper
digital arteries, which runs along the sides
of the 2nd to 4th digits.
The
Deep Palmar Arterial Arch