Arteries Of The Upper Limb Flashcards
Where do the left and right subclavian arteries arise from?
Left- directly off arch of aorta
Right- Branches of brachiocephalic trunk
Where does the axillary artery pass?
Through the axilla just underneath the pectoralis minor
At what level do the posterior and anterior circumflex humeral arteries arise?
Same as the humeral surgical neck
What arteries are given off from the axillary artery at the level of the humeral surgical neck?
Posterior and anterior circumflex humeral arteries and subscapular artery
What is the largest branch of the axillary artery?
Subscapularis artery
What muscle marks the point at which the axillary artery becomes the brachial artery?
Teres major
When might you get an axillary artery aneurysm?
As a result of atherosclerosis, thoracic outlet syndrome (when there is compression of the nerves, arteries, or veins in the passageway from the lower neck to the armpit) or trauma
What complications and symptoms can arise from an axillary artery aneurysm?
Compression of the brachial plexus, Resulting in paraesthesia and muscle weakness
How would you treat an axillary artery aneurysm?
Surgically remove it and reconstruct vessel wall using a graft
What is the first branch of the brachial artery? Where is this branch found?
Profunda brachii (deep artery of the arm) immediately distal to the teres major
Where does the profunda brachii run and what muscles in the upper limb does it supply?
In the radial groove, supplies structures in the posterior aspect of the arm
In relation to the median nerve where does the brachial artery run down the upper limb?
Immediately posterior to the median nerve.
What 2 arteries does the brachial artery give rise to when it forks at the cubital fossa?
Radial and ulnar
What feature of the upper limbs blood supply means it protected from temporary or partial occlusion of the brachial artery?
It has a relatively good anastomotic supply
What condition can occur as a result of ischaemia of the forearm and how?
Volkmann’s contracture (bend at fingers and wrist)
Ischaemia=necrosis and paralysis of muscles
Muscles= replaced by scar tissue=shorten=flexion deformity
What aspect of the forearm does the radial artery supply?
Posterior
What aspect of the forearm does the ulnar artery supply?
Anterior
The radial and ulnar arteries anastomose in the hand and form what?
Two arches
The superficial palmar arch and deep Palmar arch
Why is it important that the hand has a good blood supply with many anastomosing arteries?
It allows it to be perfused even whilst grasping and applying pressure- which may temporarily occlude vessels
Why are the majority of the blood vessels in the hand superficial?
Allow for heat loss when needed
Which of the digits does the radial artery contribute to mainly?
The supply of the thumb and the lateral side of the index finger
Which of the digits does the ulnar artery contribute to mainly?
The supply of the medial 3 digits and the medial side of the index finger
In relation to the flexor retinaculum and the ulnar nerve, how does the ulnar artery enter the hand?
Anterior to flexor retinaculum and lateral to the ulnar nerve
What arise form the superficial palmar arch in the hand?
The common palmar digital arteries (supplying the digits)
Where in the hand is the superficial palmar arch found?
Anteriorly to the flexor tendons in the hand and deep to the palmar aponeurosis
How does the radial artery enter the hand?
Dorsally, crossing the anatomical snuffbox
It turns medially and moves between the heads of the adductor pollicis
