Arteries of upper limb Flashcards
Course of subclavian arteries
Cross lateral edge of 1st rib and enter axilla (become Axillary arteries)
What do the Axillary arteries pass underneath in the axilla
Pectoralis minor
What is the Axillary artery enclosed in
Axillary sheath
Where do the circumflex humeral arteries branch off from the Axillary artery
At level of humeral surgical neck
What is the largest branch of Axillary artery and where does it arise
Subscapular artery
Lower border of subscapularis and it follows inferior angle of scapula
When does the Axillary artery terminate
Becomes brachial artery at level of teres major muscle
How do Axillary artery aneurysms occur
atherosclerosis
Thoracic outlet syndrome
Trauma
Consequences of Axillary artery aneurysm
Dilated portion of artery can compress brachial plexus, producing paraesthesia and muscle weakness
Treatment of Axillary artery aneurysm
Surgery to:
Remove aneurysm
Reconstruct vessel wall
Main source of blood for arm
Brachial artery
Course of brachial artery
Descends down arm immediately posterior to median nerve
Crosses the cubital fossa underneath brachialis
How does the brachial artery terminate
Bifurcates into radial and ulnar arteries at the apex of the cubital fossa
Where does the profunda brachii/deep artery of arm arise
Branches off brachial artery immediately distal to teres major
Course of deep artery of arm
Runs in radial groove down posterior surface of humerus
How does deep artery of arm terminate
By contributing to a network of vessels at the elbow joint
What does the deep artery of arm supply
Posterior arm i.e. Triceps brachii
What does the radial artery supply
Posterior forearm
Thumb
Lateral side of index finger
What does the ulnar artery supply
Anterior forearm
Medial 3 fingers
Medial side of index finger
How do the ulnar and radial arteries terminate
They anastomose in the hand by forming the superficial and deep palmar arches
Course of ulnar artery within hand
Moves into hand anterior to flexor retinaculum and lateral to ulnar nerve
Divides into superficial and deep palmar arches
Location of superficial palmar arch
Anterior to flexor tendons in hand
Deep to palmar aponeurosis
Course of superficial palmar arch
Arises from ulnar artery
Gives rise to common palmar digital arteries
Anastomoses with branch of radial artery
Course of radial artery within hand
Enters hand dorsally, crossing floor of anatomical snuffbox
Turns medially and moves between heads of adductor pollicis
Anastomoses with deep palmar branch of ulnar artery
What supplies digits
Superficial and deep palmar arches
Where do the right and left subclavian arteries arise
Right - brachiocephalic trunk of aorta arch
Left - aorta arch
What arteries supply posterior forearm
Anterior and posterior interosseus arteries which are branches of the ulnar artery
