Upper Limb Blood Vessels

Question 1

Where does the arterial supply to the upper limb begin?

Answer 1

IN the chest as the subclavian artery.

Question 2

What do the right and left subclavian arteries come from?

Answer 2

Right subclavian artery arses from the brachiocephalic trunk.
Left subclavian artery branches off the arch of the aorta.

Question 3

When do the subclavian arteries become axillary arteries?

Answer 3

When they cross the lateral edge of the 1st rib and enter the axilla.

Question 4

Where do the subscapular artery and posterior and anterior circumflex humeral arteries arise?

Answer 4

At the level of the humeral surgical neck. The circumflex arteries circle posteriorly around the humerus to supply to the shoulder region.

Question 5

When does the axillary artery become the brachial artery?

Answer 5

At the level of the teres major muscle.

Question 6

What can cause axillary artery aneurysms?

Answer 6

Atherosclerosis, thoracic outlet syndrome, or trauma.

Question 7

What complications can arise from axillary artery aneurysms?

Answer 7

Compresses the brachial plexus, producing neurological symptoms like paresthesia and muscle weakness.

Question 8

How are axillary artery aneurysms treated?

Answer 8

Surgically, aneurysm is removed and vessel wall reconstructed using a graft.

Question 9

What happens distal to the teres major?

Answer 9

The brachial artery gives rise to the profunda brachii (the deep artery of the arm), which runs in the radial graft.

Question 10

Where does the profunda brachii terminate?

Answer 10

At the elbow joint to contribute a network of vessels.

Question 11

What happens to the brachial artery as it descends down the arm?

Answer 11

It travels posterior to the median nerve and crosses the cubital fossa, underneath the brachialis muscle. It terminsted by bifurcating into the radial and ulnar arteries.

Question 12

How does occlusion or laceration of the brachial artery lead to Volkmann’s contracture?

Answer 12

There is ischaemia of the forearm that causes necrosis and paralysis of the muscles of the forearm. These muscles are replaced by scar tissue and shorten considerably and have flexion deformity.

Question 13

What arches form in the hand by the bifurcation of the radial and ulnar arteries?

Answer 13

Superficial palmar arch and deep palmar arch.

Question 14

What is the supply of blood to the hand?

Answer 14

Radial artery - thumb and lateral side of the index fingers.

Ulnar artery - rest of the digits and medial side of index finger.

Question 15

Where is the superficial palmar branch?

Answer 15

Anterior to the flexor tendons in the hand, just deep to the palmar aponeurosis.

Question 16

How does the radial artery enter the hand?

Answer 16

Dorsally crossing the floor of the anatomical snuffbox.

Question 17

What is the role of the venous system in the upper limb?

Answer 17

Drain deoxygenated blood from the arm, forearm and hand.

Question 18

What are the major superficial veins of the upper limb?

Answer 18

Cephalic and basilic veins.

Question 19

What is the anatomical course of the basilic vein?

Answer 19

Originates from the dorsal venous network of the hand. Ascends the medial aspect of the upper limb. At the border of the teres major, it moves deep into the arm and combines with the brachial veins to form the axillary vein.

Question 20

What is the anatomical course of the cephalic vein?

Answer 20

Arises from the dorsal venous network of the hand. It ascends the antero-lateral aspect of the upper limb, and passes anterior to the elbow. At the shoulder, it travels between the deltoid and pectoralis major muscles and enters the axilla region via the clavipectorla triangle. It terminates within the axilla by joining the axillary vein.

Question 21

What are the cephalic and basilic veins connected by?

Answer 21

The median cubital vein at the elbow.

Question 22

What is the structure of vena comitantes?

Answer 22

They are paired veins that accompany and lie either side of an artery. The pulsations of the artery help the venous return.

Question 23

What connects the deep and superficial veins of the upper limb?

Answer 23

Perforating veins.

Question 24

What is the main location for venepuncture?

Answer 24

Median cubital vein, superficial vein anteriorly at the elbow.