The Cardiovascular system - the arterial supply of the upper limb

Question 1

What are the 5 mains vessels that deliver the arterial blood supply of the upper limb?

Answer 1

• Subclavian artery
• Axillary artery
• Brachial artery
• Radial artery
• Ulnar artery

Question 2

What does the brachial artery bifurcate into?

Answer 2

Radial and ulnar arteries within the cubital fossa

Question 3

Where can the pulse be felt in the arm?

Answer 3

Radial artery

Question 4

What does the radial and ulnar arteries supply?

Answer 4

On notes

Question 5

what does the ulnar artery give rise to and where does this run

Answer 5

It gives rise to the deep palmar branch and continues laterally across the palm as the superficial palmar arch.

Question 6

What does the radial artery supply and what does it branch into?

Answer 6

The radial artery supplies a branch to the thumb, the index finger and to the superficial palmar arch – it then continues as the deep palmar arch.

Question 7

What two arterial arches are formed in the hand?

Answer 7

Superficial palmar arch – located anteriorly to the flexor tendons in the hand and deep to the palmar aponeurosis. It gives rise to the digital arteries, which supply the four fingers.

Deep palmar arch – located deep to the flexor tendons of the hand. It contributes to the blood supply to the digits and to the wrist joint.