Arteries of the UE (anatomical arm and forearm only)

Axillary Artery

The axillary artery extends from the outer border of the first rib to the inferior border of the teres major muscle, where it then becomes the brachial artery. The axillary artery is bordered on its medial side by the axillary vein.

One more time.

The axillary artery extends from the first rib to the inferior border of the teres major muscle, where it then becomes the brachial artery. The axillary artery is bordered on its medial side by the axillary vein.

Brachial Artery

The brachial artery extends from the inferior border of the teres major muscle to its bifurcation in the center of the cubital fossa. It then provides muscular branches and terminates by dividing into the radial artery and the ulnar artery at the level of the  neck of the radius, slightly below the elbow, in the fossa. It is accompanied by the basilic vein in the middle of the arm.

The brachial artery extends from the inferior border of the teres major muscle to its bifurcation in the center of the cubital fossa. It then sends muscular branches and terminates when it splits into the radial artery and the ulnar artery at the level of the neck of the radius, slightly below the elbow, in the fossa. It is accompanied by the basilic vein in the middle of the arm.

Profunda Brachii (Deep Brachial) Artery (Comes from the Brachial Artery)

The profunda brachii (Deep brachial) artery descends posteriorly with the radial nerve.

The profunda brachii (deep brachial) artery divides into the middle collateral artery and the radial collateral artery. The middle collateral artery anastomoses with the common interosseous artery. The radial collateral artery follows the radial nerve through the lateral intermuscular septum and ends in front of the lateral epicondyle (of the humerus) by anastomosing with the radial recurrent artery of the radial artery.

Let’s try it again.

The profunda brachii (deep brachial artery) descends posteriorly with the radial nerve.

The profunda brachii (Deep brachial artery) divides into the middle collateral artery and the radial collateral artery. The middle collateral artery anastomoses with the common interosseous artery. The radial collateral artery follows the radial nerve through the intermuscular septum and ends in front of the lateral epicondyle (of the humerus) by anastomosing with the radial recurrent artery of the radial artery.

Superior Ulnar Collateral Artery (Comes off of the Brachial Artery)

The superior Ulnar Collateral Artery pierces the medial intermuscular septum and follows the ulnar nerves behind the septum and medial epicondyle (of the humerus), where it then anastomoses with the posterior ulnar recurrent artery of the ulnar artery.

One more time.

The Superior Ulnar Collateral Artery pierces the medial intermuscular septum and follows the ulnar nerve behind the septum and the medial epicondyle (of the humerus), where it then anastomoses with the posterior ulnar recurrent artery of the ulnar artery.

 

Inferior Ulnar Collateral Artery (Comes from the Brachial Artery)

The Inferior Ulnar Collateral Artery arises from the brachial artery just above the elbow and descends in front of the medial epicondyle of the humerus, where it anastomoses with the anterior ulnar recurrent artery of the ulnar artery.

Again.

The Inferior Ulnar Collateral Artery arises from the brachial artery just above the elbow and descends in front of the medial epicondyle of the humerus, where it then anastomoses with the anterior ulnar recurrent artery of the ulnar artery.

Radial Artery

The radial artery arises as the smaller lateral branch of the brachial artery in the cubital fossa and descends laterally under the cover of the brachioradialis muscle, with the superficial radial nerve on its lateral side, on the supinator muscle and the flexor pollicis longus muscle.

Try it again.

The radial artery arises as the smaller lateral branch of the brachial artery in the cubital fossa, descends laterally under the cover of the brachioradialis muscle, with the superficial radial nerve on its lateral side, on the supinator muscle and the flexor pollicis longus muscle.

Wow, that’s wordy. No new picture here because the radial artery was introduced in the first picture.

Radial Recurrent Artery (comes off of the radial artery)

The radial recurrent artery arises from the radial artery just below its origin and ascends on the supinator and then between the brachioradialis and the brachialis muscle. The radial recurrent artery then anastomoses with the radial collateral branch of the profunda brachii (deep brachial) artery.

Wasn’t paying attention. Try again.

The Radial Recurrent Artery arises from the radial artery just below its origin and ascends on the supinator and then between the brachioradilis and the brachialis muscle. The radial recurrent artery than anastomoses with the radial collateral branch of the profunda brachii (deep brachial) artery.

No additional drawing needed here because it was demonstrated in the second figure.

Ulnar Artery

The ulnar artery is the larger medial branch of the brachial artery in the cubital fossa. It descends behind the ulnar head of the teres muscle and lies between the flexor digitorum superficialis and the profundus muscles. The ulnar artery gives rise to three other branches: the anterior ulnar recurrent artery, the posterior ulnar recurrent artery, and the common interosseous artery.

Getting close. Try again.

The ulnar artery is the larger medial branch of the brachial artery in the cubital fossa. It descends behind the ulnar head of the posterior teres muscle and lies between the flexor digitorum superficialis and profundus muscles. The ulnar artery gives rise to three branches: the anterior ulnar recurrent artery, the posterior ulnar recurrent artery, and the common interosseous artery.

Again, these structures have already been demonstrated in previous figures.

Anterior Ulnar Recurrent Artery (branches off the Ulnar Artery)

The anterior ulnar recurrent artery anastomoses with the inferior ulnar collateral artery.

Previous figure demonstrates this.

Posterior Ulnar Recurrent Artery (branches off the Ulnar Artery)

The posterior ulnar recurrent artery anastomoses with the superior ulnar collateral artery.

This has been demonstrated already.

Common Interosseous Artery (branches off the Ulnar Artery)

The common interosseous artery arises form the lateral side of the ulnar artery and divides into two branches: the anterior interosseous artery and the posterior interosseous artery.

Anterior Interosseous Artery

The anterior interosseous artery is a branch of the common interosseous artery and descends with the anterior interosseous nerve in front of the interosseous membrane, where it is located between the flexor digitorum profundus and the flexor pollicis longus muscles. The anterior interosseous artery then perforates the interosseous membrane and anastomoses with the posterior interosseous artery to join the dorsal venous network.

That was long and wordy. Try again.

The anterior interosseous artery is a branch of the common interosseous artery and descends with the anterior interosseous nerve in front of the interosseous membrane, where it is located between the flexor digitorum profundus and the flexor pollicis longus muscles. The anterior interosseous artery then perforates the interosseous membrane and anastomoses with the posterior interosseous artery to join in the dorsal venous network.

See the figure above.

Posterior Interosseous Artery

The posterior interosseous artery descends behind the interosseous membrane in company with the posterior interosseous nerve where it then anastomoses with the anterior interosseous artery.

So there you have it. Ther arteries of the upper extremity (anatomical arm and forearm only).

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