Arterial supply of the thoracic limb

Question 1

Route and connections of A. axillaris

Answer 1

• The main continuation of a. subclavia
• Extends from the first rib to the medial surface of m. teres major.
• Continued as a. brachialis in thr brachial region, and as a. mediana in the antebrachium.
• Runs distally on the medial aspect of the limb.
• Gives rise to a. thoracica externa and a. thoracica lateralis

Question 2

Route and connections of A. subscapularis

Answer 2

• Passes between m. subscapularis and m. teres major.
• Runs caudo-dorsally alond the caudal margin of the scapula.
• Becomes subcutaneous at the caudal angle
• Gives off a. circumflexa humeri caudalis, a. collateralis radialis and a. thoracodorsalis

Question 3

What does A. circumflexa humeri caudalis supplies?

Answer 3

• All heads of m. triceps brachii
• Both parts of m. deltoideus

Question 4

Route and connections of A. circumflexa humeri caudalis

Answer 4

• Runs from medial to lateral by passing between caput longum and caput accessorium of the triceps.
• Gives rise to a. collateralis radialis.
• Anastomoses with a. circumflexa humeri cranialis lateral to the head of the Humerus.

Question 5

What does A. collateralis radialis supplies?

Answer 5

• M. brachialis
• M. anconeus

Question 6

Route and connections of A. collateralis radialis

Answer 6

• Given off the a. circumflexa humeri caudalis
• Passes deep to the caput accessorium of the triceps.
• Runs distally on the caudal and then laterl surfaces of m. brachialis.
• Gives rise to the nurtient artery of the Humerus.
• Anastomoses with a. brachialis superficialis proximal to the Elbow

Question 7

What does A. thoracodorsalis supplies?

Answer 7

• The distal m. teres major
• m. latissimus dorsi

Question 8

What does A. circumflexa humeri cranialis supplies?

Answer 8

• It’s surrounding muscles
• The shoulder joint

Question 9

Route and connections of A. circumflexa humeri cranialis

Answer 9

• Usually the last branch os a. axillaris, but may arise from a. subscapularis.
• Runs over m. coracobrachialis and under m. biceps brachii’s tendon of origin.
• Ends by anastosmosing with a. circumflexa humeri caudalis.

Question 10

Route and connections of A. brachialis

Answer 10

• Given off a. axill**aris.
• Runs directly to the elbow, where it lies crnial to the medial epicondyle.
• Flanked on either side by collateral veins.
• Gives rise to a. profunda brachii, a. bicipitalis and a. collateralis ulnaris.

Question 11

What does a. profunda brachii supplies?

Answer 11

A number of branches to m. triceps brachii

Question 12

Route and connections of a. profunda brachii

Answer 12

• Arises in the proximal third of the brachium.
• Passes between caput longum and caput mediale of m. triceps brachii.
• Sometimes double

Question 13

What does A. bicipitalis supply?

Answer 13

M. biceps brachii

Question 14

What does a. collateralis ulnaris supply?

Answer 14

• M. triceps brachii.
• M. anconeus.
• Antebrachial flexors.
• The elbow joint

Question 15

Route and connections of a. collateralis ulnaris

Answer 15

• Arises in the distal third of the brachium from a. brachialis.
• Runs distally over the medial aspect of the olecranon.

Question 16

Route and connections of A. brachialis superficialis

Answer 16

• Usually arises from a. brachialis, but can also arise from a. bicipitalis.
• Recieves a. collateralis radialis.
• Runs cranio-distally over the distal m. biceps brachii.
• Distal to the elbow, continues as a. antebrachialis superficialis cranialis.

Question 17

Route and connections of a. antebrachialis superficialis cranialis

Answer 17

• Divides into two branches - medial and lateral.
• Both run on m. extensor carpi radialis.

Question 18

What does A. transverse cubiti supply?

Answer 18

• Extensor muscles of carpus and digits
• Elbow joint

Question 19

Route and connections of A. transverse cubiti

Answer 19

• Arises on the flexion surface of the elbow.
• Passes beneath the distal m. biceps brachii and m. brachialis

Question 20

Route and connections of A. interossea communis

Answer 20

• Last branch of the a. brachialis, arises distal to the elbow joint, on m. pronator teres.
• Runs to the proximal interosseus space.
• Gives rise to a. ulnaris.
• Divides to form a. interosseus caudalis ans a. interosseus cranialis.

Question 21

What does A. ulnaris supply?

Answer 21

• M. flexor digitalis profundus
• M. flexor carpi ulnaris

Question 22

Route and connections of A. ulnaris

Answer 22

• Usually arises from a. interosseus communis, but can also arise from a. medianus.
• Passes through m. flexor digitalis profundus.
• Recieves a branch from a. profunda antebrachii.
• Divides into two branches: r. carpeus dorsalis and r. carpeus palmaris

Question 23

What does A. interossea caudalis supply?

Answer 23

• Most of the antebrachial muscles.
• Radial and Ulnar nutrient arteries.

Question 24

Route and connections of a. interossea caudalis

Answer 24

Lies in the interosseous space between m. pronator quadratus (medially) and the interosseous membrane (laterally)

Question 25

What does the A. mediana supply?

Answer 25

It is the main blood source to the manus

Question 26

Route and connecions of A. mediana

Answer 26

• Runs distally on the caudo-medial border of the Radius, covered by m. flexor carpi radialis.
• Runs in the groove between the tendons of the deep and superficiali digital flexors.
• Runs through the carpal canal and the branchs out to form the superficial palmar arterial system.

Question 27

What does A. profunda antebrachii supply?

Answer 27

The flexors of the carpus and the digits

Question 28

Route and connections of A. profunda antebrachii

Answer 28

• Usually arises from a. mediana, but can also arise from a. brach**ialis or a. interossea communis
• Sometimes occures as more than one artery.
• Runs distally ander m. flexor carpi radialis.
• Anastomoses with a. ulnaris.

Question 29

Route and connections of A. radialis

Answer 29

• Arises from the proximal segment of a. mediana.
• Runs distally on the cranio-medial edge of the radius, where it lies cranio-medial to a. mediana.
• At the carpus divides to form two branches: dorsalis and palmaris.