Arteries Of The Upper Limb

Question 1

Where do the left and right subclavian arteries arise from?

Answer 1

Left- directly off arch of aorta

Right- Branches of brachiocephalic trunk

Question 2

Where does the axillary artery pass?

Answer 2

Through the axilla just underneath the pectoralis minor

Question 3

At what level do the posterior and anterior circumflex humeral arteries arise?

Answer 3

Same as the humeral surgical neck

Question 4

What arteries are given off from the axillary artery at the level of the humeral surgical neck?

Answer 4

Posterior and anterior circumflex humeral arteries and subscapular artery

Question 5

What is the largest branch of the axillary artery?

Answer 5

Subscapularis artery

Question 6

What muscle marks the point at which the axillary artery becomes the brachial artery?

Answer 6

Teres major

Question 7

When might you get an axillary artery aneurysm?

Answer 7

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

Question 8

What complications and symptoms can arise from an axillary artery aneurysm?

Answer 8

Compression of the brachial plexus, Resulting in paraesthesia and muscle weakness

Question 9

How would you treat an axillary artery aneurysm?

Answer 9

Surgically remove it and reconstruct vessel wall using a graft

Question 10

What is the first branch of the brachial artery? Where is this branch found?

Answer 10

Profunda brachii (deep artery of the arm) immediately distal to the teres major

Question 11

Where does the profunda brachii run and what muscles in the upper limb does it supply?

Answer 11

In the radial groove, supplies structures in the posterior aspect of the arm

Question 12

In relation to the median nerve where does the brachial artery run down the upper limb?

Answer 12

Immediately posterior to the median nerve.

Question 13

What 2 arteries does the brachial artery give rise to when it forks at the cubital fossa?

Answer 13

Radial and ulnar

Question 14

What feature of the upper limbs blood supply means it protected from temporary or partial occlusion of the brachial artery?

Answer 14

It has a relatively good anastomotic supply

Question 15

What condition can occur as a result of ischaemia of the forearm and how?

Answer 15

Volkmann’s contracture (bend at fingers and wrist)

Ischaemia=necrosis and paralysis of muscles

Muscles= replaced by scar tissue=shorten=flexion deformity

Question 16

What aspect of the forearm does the radial artery supply?

Answer 16

Posterior

Question 17

What aspect of the forearm does the ulnar artery supply?

Answer 17

Anterior

Question 18

The radial and ulnar arteries anastomose in the hand and form what?

Answer 18

Two arches

The superficial palmar arch and deep Palmar arch

Question 19

Why is it important that the hand has a good blood supply with many anastomosing arteries?

Answer 19

It allows it to be perfused even whilst grasping and applying pressure- which may temporarily occlude vessels

Question 20

Why are the majority of the blood vessels in the hand superficial?

Answer 20

Allow for heat loss when needed

Question 21

Which of the digits does the radial artery contribute to mainly?

Answer 21

The supply of the thumb and the lateral side of the index finger

Question 22

Which of the digits does the ulnar artery contribute to mainly?

Answer 22

The supply of the medial 3 digits and the medial side of the index finger

Question 23

In relation to the flexor retinaculum and the ulnar nerve, how does the ulnar artery enter the hand?

Answer 23

Anterior to flexor retinaculum and lateral to the ulnar nerve

Question 24

What arise form the superficial palmar arch in the hand?

Answer 24

The common palmar digital arteries (supplying the digits)

Question 25

Where in the hand is the superficial palmar arch found?

Answer 25

Anteriorly to the flexor tendons in the hand and deep to the palmar aponeurosis

Question 26

How does the radial artery enter the hand?

Answer 26

Dorsally, crossing the anatomical snuffbox

It turns medially and moves between the heads of the adductor pollicis