Arm Vessels
GROSS ANATOMY
Arteries
- • Brachial artery
- • Continuation of axillary artery
- • Extends from lower border of teres major to neck of radius
- • Accompanies median nerve
- • Branches of brachial artery in arm
Superior ulnar collateral arises medially, descends with ulnar nerve posterior to medial epicondyle, and then forms anastomosis with branches of ulnar artery
Inferior ulnar collateral arises distal to superior ulnar collateral artery, descends anterior to medial epicondyle, and then forms anastomosis with branches of ulnar artery
Profunda brachii: Main branch of brachial artery
- – Arises just distal to teres major, accompanies radial nerve, and passes backward in spiral groove on posterior surface of humerus
- – Gives off another branch, which passes upward and forms anastomosis with arteries around shoulder joint
- – Gives 2 lower medial branches, which descend to elbow joint on its medial side and take part in anterior and posterior anastomosis around elbow joint
- • Brachial artery lies superficial in its course in arm
- • Covered by bicipital aponeurosis at elbow, where it may be compressed against medial surface of humerus
- • Brachial artery divides at neck of radius into radial artery and ulnar artery
High takeoff of radial artery from brachial artery is common anatomical variant
Radial artery passes inferiorly and laterally, lying on tendon of biceps brachii
Ulnar artery passes down and medially, deep to pronator teres
Within antecubital fossa, radial and ulnar arteries give off recurrent branches to elbow joint
Veins
- • Categorized as superficial and deep venous system
- • Brachial vein
- • Cephalic vein
- • Basilic vein
Passes upward on medial side of forearm, receiving anterior and posterior tributaries, and then passes to anteromedial aspect of elbow where it receives medial cubital vein
Continues on medial aspect of biceps brachii until it pierces deep fascia to run cranially, medial to brachial artery
Joins brachial vein and becomes axillary vein at lower border of teres major
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