Vessels of the Thoracic Limb

Question 1

Principal arteries of the thoracic limb

Answer 1

Subclavian a.
Axillary a.
Brachial a.
Median a.

Question 2

Subclavian aa.

Answer 2

Left subclavian arises from the aortic arch
Right subclavian arises from the brachiocephalic trunk which arises from the aorta
Branches into:
-Vertebral a.
-Costcervical trunk
-Internal thoracic a.
-Superficial cervical a.

Question 3

Axillary a.

Answer 3

Continuation of subclavian a., becomes axillary after becoming lateral to the first rib. Branches into:
-External thoracic a.
-Lateral thoracic a.
-Subscapular a. (Thoracodorsal a., caudal circumflex humeral a.)
-Cranial circumflex humeral a.

Question 4

Brachial a.

Answer 4

Continuation of axillary a., becomes brachial in proximal brachial region. Gives rise to:
-Transverse cubital a.
-Common interosseus a. (courses in interosseus space)

Question 5

Median a.

Answer 5

Continuation of brachial a., becomes median a. in proximal antebrachial region. Principle blood supply to manus in dog. Courses through the carpal canal. Gives rise to:
-Deep antebrachial a.
-Radial a. (main blood supply to manus in cats)

Question 6

Veins of the thoracic limb

Answer 6

Subclavian v.
Axillary v.
Brachial v.
Median v.

Question 7

Subclavian v.

Answer 7

Join the external jugular veins to form brachiocephalic vv. which come together to form the cranial vena cava

Question 8

Cephalic v.

Answer 8

Arises from the superficial venous arch on palmar aspect of manus. Courses from palmar aspect of manus to cranial aspect of antebrachium and brachium. Passes deep to brachiocephalicus m. and drains into the external jugular

Question 9

Accessory cephalic v.

Answer 9

Arises from dorsal aspect of manus and joins cephalic vein on cranial aspect of distal third of antebrachium

Question 10

Axillobrachial v.

Answer 10

Courses between cephalic and axillary vv.

Question 11

Median cubital v.

Answer 11

Courses between brachial and cephalic

Question 12

Routes blood may take from cephalic to brachiocephalic

Answer 12

Cephalic v. -> external jugular v. -> brachiocephalic v.
Cephalic v. -> median cubital v. -> brachial v. -> axillary v. -> subclavian v. -> brachiocephalic v.
Cephalic v. -> axillobrachial v. -> axillary v. -> subclavian v. -> brachiocephalic v.
Cephalic v. -> axillobrachial v. -> omobrachial v. -> external jugular v. -> brachiocephalic v.