Arteries Of Upper Arm

Question 0

Superior thoracic artery Origin? Course?

Answer 0

O: First part of the axillary artery

Course: Runs anteromedially along superior border of pectoralis minor; then passes between it and pectoralis major to thoracic wall; helps supply first and second intercostal spaces and superior part of serratus anterior.

Question 1

Suprascapular artery Origin? Course?

Answer 1

O: Thyrocervical (or as direct branch of subclavian artery)

Course: Passes inferolaterally crossing anterior scalene muscle, phrenic nerve, subclavian artery, and brachial plexus, running laterally posterior and parallel to clavicle; next passes over transverse scapular ligament to supraspinous fossa; then lateral to scapular spine (deep to acromion) infraspinous fossa on posterior surface of scapula.

Question 2

Thoraco-acromial artery Origin? Course?

Answer 2

O: Second part of the axillary artery

Course: Curls around superomedial border of pectoralis minor; pierces costocoracoid membrane (clavipectoral fascia); divides into four branches: pectoral, deltoid, acromial, and clavicular.

Question 3

Lateral thoracic artery Origin? Course?

Answer 3

O: Second part of axillary artery.

Course: Descends along axillary border of pectoralis minor; follows it onto thoracic wall, supplying lateral aspect of breast.

Question 4

Circumflex humeral anterior and posterior arteries Origin? Course?

Answer 4

O: Third part of axillary artery.

Course: Encircle surgical neck of humerus, anastomosing with each other laterally; larger posterior branch transverse quadrangular space.

Question 5

Subscapular artery Origin? Course?

Answer 5

O: Third part of axillary artery.

Course: Descends from level of inferior border of subscapularis along lateral border of scapula, dividing within 2-3 into terminal branches, the circumflex scapular and thoracodorsal arteries.

Question 6

Deep brachial artery of arm Origin? Course?

Answer 6

O: Just inferior to teres major, brachial artery.

Course: Accompanies radial nerve along radial groove of humerus, supplying posterior compartment of arm and participating periarticular arterial anastomoses around elbow joint.

Question 7

Superior ulnar collateral artery Origin? Course?

Answer 7

O: Near middle of arm, brachial artery.

Course: Accompanies ulnar nerve to posterior aspect of elbow; anastomoses with posterior ulnar recurrent artery.

Question 8

Inferior ulnar collateral artery Origin? Course?

Answer 8

O: Superior to medial epicondylitis of humerus, brachial artery.

Course: Passes anterior to medial epicondyle of humerus to anastomose with anterior ulnar recurrent artery.