Arteries of the Upper Limb

Artery Source Branches Supply to Notes

anterior axillary a., 3rd unnamed deltoid m.; arm anterior
circumflex part muscular muscles near circumflex
humeral branches the surgical humeral a.
neck of the anastomoses with
humerus the posterior
circumflex
humeral a.
anterior common muscular brs.; a. flexor pollicis anterior
interosseous interosseous a. of the median longus m., interosseous a.
nerve flexor pierces the
digitorum interosseous
profundus m., membrane at its
pronator distal end to reach
quadratus m., the dorsal carpal
radius, ulna, anastomosis
carpal bones
anterior ulnar ulnar a. unnamed medial side of anterior ulnar
recurrent muscular brs. elbow and recurrent a. often
proximal ends arises in common
of forearm with the posterior
flexor mm. ulnar recurrent a.
arch, deep radial a., deep palmar deep palm, deep palmar
palmar br. of ulnar a. metacarpal aa. digits arterial arch
(2nd-4th), including the receives the
perforating brs. dorsum of the majority of its
distal blood supply
phalangeal from the radial a.
segment
arch, dorsal radial a., ulnar a. dorsal metacarpal dorsum of the dorsal carpal
carpal arterial aa. hand and arterial arch
digits, receives the
excluding the majority of its
distal blood supply
phalangeal from the radial a.
segment
arch, superficial ulnar a., common palmar superficial superficial palmar
palmar superficial digital aa. (3) palm, palmar arterial arch
 palmar br. of the surface of the receives the
radial a. digits majority of its
excluding blood supply
thumb, dorsum from the ulnar a.
of the distal
phalangeal
segments of
digits 2-5
axillary subclavian a. 1st part: superior pectoral pectoralis minor
(axillary a. is the thoracic a.; 2nd region, m. crosses
continuation of part: shoulder anterior to the
the subclavian thoracoacromial region and axillary artery and
lateral to the 1st a., lateral upper limb is used to
rib) thoracic a.; 3rd delineate the 3
part: anterior parts mentioned
humeral at left
circumflex a.,
posterior humeral
circumflex a.,
subscapular a.
brachial axillary a. deep brachial a., arm, forearm brachial a.
(brachial a. is the superior ulnar and hand normally
continuation of collateral a., terminates at the
the axillary a. nutrient a., level of the
distal to the teres inferior ulnar elbow, but high
major m.) collateral a.; branching may
terminal occur
branches are the
radial a. and the
ulnar a.
brachial, deep brachial a. ascending br.; muscles and deep brachial a.
terminal tissues of the spirals around the
branches are the posterior shaft of the
middle collateral compartment humerus in the
a. and radial of the arm radial groove
collateral a. where it is
susceptible to
injury in mid-
shaft fractures
brachiocephalic aortic arch right common right side of there is only one
trunk carotid a., right the head and brachiocephalic
subclavian a. neck; right trunk
upper limb and
 right side of
the chest wall
carpal arterial radial a., ulnar a. dorsal metacarpal dorsum of the dorsal carpal
arch, dorsal aa. hand and arterial arch
digits, receives the
excluding the majority of its
distal blood supply
phalangeal from the radial a.
segment
cervical, thyrocervical unnamed trapezius transverse
transverse trunk muscular muscle and cervical a. gives
branches, surrounding rise to the dorsal
possibly the tissues scapular a. ~30%
dorsal scapular a. of the time
circumflex axillary a., 3rd unnamed deltoid m.; arm anterior
humeral, part muscular muscles near circumflex
anterior branches the surgical humeral a.
neck of the anastomoses with
humerus the posterior
circumflex
humeral a.
circumflex axillary a., 3rd unnamed deltoid; arm posterior
humeral, part muscular muscles near circumflex
posterior branches the surgical humeral a.
neck of the anastomoses with
humerus the anterior
circumflex
humeral a.; it
passes through
the quadrangular
space with the
axillary nerve
circumflex subscapular a. unnamed teres major m., circumflex
scapular muscular teres minor m., scapular a.
branches infraspinatus anastomoses with
m. the suprascapular
a. and the dorsal
scapular a. to
form the scapular
anastomosis
collateral, brachial a. unnamed lower medial anastomoses with
inferior ulnar muscular arm the anterior ulnar
 branches recurrent a.
collateral, deep brachial a. unnamed medial head of anastomoses with
middle muscular triceps, the interosseous
branches anconeus recurrent a.
collateral, radial deep brachial a. unnamed lower lateral travels with the
muscular arm radial nerve;
branches anastomoses with
the radial
recurrent a.
collateral, brachial a. unnamed medial arm travels with the
superior ulnar muscular muscles ulnar nerve;
branches anastomoses with
posterior ulnar
recurrent a.
common ulnar a. anterior deep structures common
interosseous interosseous a., of the forearm interosseous a.
posterior supplies the deep
interosseous a. forearm flexor
and deep forearm
extensor muscles
common palmar superficial proper palmar palmar aspect common palmar
digital palmar arterial digital aa. (2) two adjacent digital aa.
arch digits anastomose with
palmar
metacarpal aa.
deep brachial brachial a. ascending br.; muscles and deep brachial a.
terminal tissues of the spirals around the
branches are the posterior shaft of the
middle collateral compartment humerus in the
a. and radial of the arm radial groove
collateral a. where it is
susceptible to
injury in mid-
shaft fractures
deep palmar radial a., deep palmar deep palm, deep palmar
arch br. of ulnar a. metacarpal aa. digits arterial arch
(2nd-4th), including the receives the
perforating brs. dorsum of the majority of its
distal blood supply
phalangeal from the radial a.
segment
digital, common superficial proper palmar palmar aspect common palmar
palmar palmar arterial digital aa. (2) two adjacent digital aa.
arch digits anastomose with
palmar
metacarpal aa.
digital, proper common palmar no named palmar aspect proper palmar
palmar digital a. branches of each digit digital aa. supply
the dorsum of the
distal phalangeal
segment and nail
bed
dorsal carpal radial a., ulnar a. dorsal metacarpal dorsum of the dorsal carpal
arterial arch aa. hand and arterial arch
digits, receives the
excluding the majority of its
distal blood supply
phalangeal from the radial a.
segment
dorsal digital, of dorsal no named dorsal aspect dorsal digital aa.
hand metacarpal a. branches of 1/2 digit, do not supply the
excluding the nail bed
distal
phalangeal
segment
dorsal 1st: radial a.; 2- dorsal digital aa. dorsum of 2 each dorsal
metacarpal 4: dorsal carpal (2) adjacent digits, metacarpal a.
arterial arch excluding the gives off a
distal perforating br.
phalangeal that anastomoses
segment with the deep
palmar arterial
arch
dorsal scapular subclavian a., unnamed levator dorsal scapular a.
3rd part muscular scapulae m., anastomoses with
branches rhomboideus the suprascapular
major m., a. and the
rhomboideus subscapular a. to
minor m. form the scapular
anastomosis;
dorsal scapular a
is a branch of the
transverse
 cervical a. in
~30% of cases
humeral, axillary a., 3rd unnamed deltoid m.; arm anterior
anterior part muscular muscles near circumflex
circumflex branches the surgical humeral a.
neck of the anastomoses with
humerus the posterior
circumflex
humeral a.
humeral, axillary a., 3rd unnamed deltoid; arm posterior
posterior part muscular muscles near circumflex
circumflex branches the surgical humeral a.
neck of the anastomoses with
humerus the anterior
circumflex
humeral a.; it
passes through
the quadrangular
space with the
axillary nerve
inferior ulnar brachial a. unnamed lower medial anastomoses with
collateral muscular arm the anterior ulnar
branches recurrent a.
interosseous posterior unnamed anconeus m., interosseous
recurrent interosseous a. muscular elbow joint recurrent a.
branches anastomoses with
the middle
collateral a.
interosseous, common muscular brs.; a. flexor pollicis anterior
anterior interosseous a. of the median longus m., interosseous a.
nerve flexor pierces the
digitorum interosseous
profundus m., membrane at its
pronator distal end to reach
quadratus m., the dorsal carpal
radius, ulna, anastomosis
carpal bones
interosseous, ulnar a. anterior deep structures common
common interosseous a., of the forearm interosseous a.
posterior supplies the deep
interosseous a. forearm flexor
and deep forearm
 extensor muscles
interosseous, common interosseous muscles of the posterior
posterior interosseous a. recurrent posterior interosseous a.
(extensor) passes proximal
forearm to the
compartment: interosseous
supinator m., membrane to
abductor reach the extensor
pollicis longus compartment of
m., extensor the forearm
pollicis longus
m., extensor
pollicis brevis
m., extensor
indicis m.
lateral thoracic axillary, 2nd part unnamed serratus lateral thoracic a.
muscular anterior m., is a rare case in
branches parts of that it enters the
adjacent serratus anterior
muscles, skin from its
and fascia of superficial surface
the
anterolateral
thoracic wall
metacarpal, 1st: radial a.; 2- dorsal digital aa. dorsum of 2 each dorsal
dorsal 4: dorsal carpal (2) adjacent digits, metacarpal a.
arterial arch excluding the gives off a
distal perforating br.
phalangeal that anastomoses
segment with the deep
palmar arterial
arch
metacarpal, deep palmar arch proper palmar interosseous palmar
palmar digital aa. mm., deep metacarpal aa.
hand join with the
common palmar
digital aa.
middle collateral deep brachial a. unnamed medial head of anastomoses with
muscular triceps, the interosseous
branches anconeus recurrent a.
palmar arch, radial a., deep palmar deep palm, deep palmar
deep br. of ulnar a. metacarpal aa. digits arterial arch
 (2nd-4th), including the receives the
perforating brs. dorsum of the majority of its
distal blood supply
phalangeal from the radial a.
segment
palmar arch, ulnar a., common palmar superficial superficial palmar
superficial superficial digital aa. (3) palm, palmar arterial arch
palmar br. of the surface of the receives the
radial a. digits majority of its
excluding blood supply
thumb, dorsum from the ulnar a.
of the distal
phalangeal
segments of
digits 2-5
palmar digital, superficial proper palmar palmar aspect common palmar
common palmar arterial digital aa. (2) two adjacent digital aa.
arch digits anastomose with
palmar
metacarpal aa.
palmar digital, common palmar no named palmar aspect proper palmar
proper digital a. branches of each digit digital aa. supply
the dorsum of the
distal phalangeal
segment and nail
bed
palmar deep palmar arch proper palmar interosseous palmar
metacarpal digital aa. mm., deep metacarpal aa.
hand join with the
common palmar
digital aa.
pectoral thoracoacromial unnamed pectoralis pectoral a.
trunk muscular major m., accompanies the
branches pectoralis lateral pectoral n.
minor m.
posterior axillary a., 3rd unnamed deltoid; arm posterior
circumflex part muscular muscles near circumflex
humeral branches the surgical humeral a.
neck of the anastomoses with
humerus the anterior
circumflex
humeral a.; it
 passes through
the quadrangular
space with the
axillary nerve
posterior common interosseous muscles of the posterior
interosseous interosseous a. recurrent posterior interosseous a.
(extensor) passes proximal
forearm to the
compartment: interosseous
supinator m., membrane to
abductor reach the extensor
pollicis longus compartment of
m., extensor the forearm
pollicis longus
m., extensor
pollicis brevis
m., extensor
indicis m.
posterior ulnar ulnar a. unnamed medial side of posterior ulnar
recurrent muscular the elbow, recurrent a. often
branches forearm flexor arises from a
mm. common trunk
with the anterior
ulnar recurrent a.
princeps pollicis radial a. two brs. to the palmar aspect arteria princeps
thumb of the thumb pollicis is similar
including the in function to a
dorsum of the proper digital aa.;
distal this artery has a
phalangeal large pulse which
segment can be felt when
attempting to take
the pulse of a
patient - use
fingers to feel for
the patient's pulse
proper palmar common palmar no named palmar aspect proper palmar
digital digital a. branches of each digit digital aa. supply
the dorsum of the
distal phalangeal
segment and nail
bed
radial brachial a. radial recurrent posterior radial a. provides
a., palmar carpal elbow, the majority of
br., superficial posterior blood supply to
palmar br., dorsal forearm, the deep palmar
carpal br., 1st posterior hand, arterial arch;
dorsal metacarpal deep portion of normally it arises
a., princeps palmar side of at the level of the
pollicis a., the hand, elbow but may
radialis indicis a., thumb high branching of
deep palmar the brachial a.
arterial arch may result in the
radial a. arising as
proximal as the
axilla
radial collateral deep brachial a. unnamed lower lateral travels with the
muscular arm radial nerve;
branches anastomoses with
the radial
recurrent a.
radial recurrent radial a. unnamed lateral side of radial recurrent a.
muscular the elbow and anastomoses with
branches adjacent the radial
extensor collateral a.; it
muscles courses in the
groove between
the
brachioradialis m.
and the brachialis
m.
radialis indicis radial a. no named lateral (radial) arteria radialis
branches side of the indicis is
index finger equivalent to a
proper digital a.
recurrent, ulnar a. unnamed medial side of anterior ulnar
anterior ulnar muscular brs. elbow and recurrent a. often
proximal ends arises in common
of forearm with the posterior
flexor mm. ulnar recurrent a.
recurrent, posterior unnamed anconeus m., interosseous
interosseous interosseous a. muscular elbow joint recurrent a.
branches anastomoses with
the middle
 collateral a.
recurrent, ulnar a. unnamed medial side of posterior ulnar
posterior ulnar muscular the elbow, recurrent a. often
branches forearm flexor arises from a
mm. common trunk
with the anterior
ulnar recurrent a.
recurrent, radial radial a. unnamed lateral side of radial recurrent a.
muscular the elbow and anastomoses with
branches adjacent the radial
extensor collateral a.; it
muscles courses in the
groove between
the
brachioradialis m.
and the brachialis
m.
scapular, subscapular a. unnamed teres major m., circumflex
circumflex muscular teres minor m., scapular a.
branches infraspinatus anastomoses with
m. the suprascapular
a. and the dorsal
scapular a. to
form the scapular
anastomosis
scapular, dorsal subclavian a., unnamed levator dorsal scapular a.
3rd part muscular scapulae m., anastomoses with
branches rhomboideus the suprascapular
major m., a. and the
rhomboideus subscapular a. to
minor m. form the scapular
anastomosis;
dorsal scapular a
is a branch of the
transverse
cervical a. in
~30% of cases
subclavian brachiocephalic 1st part: vertebral neck, brain, subclavian a. is
a. (right), aortic a., thyrocervical spinal cord, continuous with
arch (left) trunk, internal thyroid gland, the axillary a., the
thoracic a.; 2nd larynx, name change
part: shoulder, chest occurs at the
 costocervical muscles, upper lateral border of
trunk; 3rd part: limb the first rib;
dorsal scapular a. anterior scalene
(70%) muscle passes
anterior to the
subclavian a.,
dividing it into 3
parts
subscapular axillary a., 3rd circumflex subscapularis the circumflex
part scapular a., m., teres major scapular branch
thoracodorsal a. m., teres minor of the subscapular
m., a.anastomoses
infraspinatus with the
m. suprascapular a.
and the dorsal
scapular a. in the
scapular
anastomosis
superficial ulnar a., common palmar superficial superficial palmar
palmar arch superficial digital aa. (3) palm, palmar arterial arch
palmar br. of the surface of the receives the
radial a. digits majority of its
excluding blood supply
thumb, dorsum from the ulnar a.
of the distal
phalangeal
segments of
digits 2-5
superior thoracic axillary a., 1st unnamed muscles of superior thoracic
part muscular intercostal a. anastomoses
branches spaces 1 and 2 with the
intercostal aa. for
intercostal spaces
1 and 2
superior ulnar brachial a. unnamed medial arm travels with the
collateral muscular muscles ulnar nerve;
branches anastomoses with
posterior ulnar
recurrent a.
suprascapular thyrocervical muscular supraspinatus anastomoses with
trunk & the circumflex
infraspinatus, scapular a. and
 shoulder joint the dorsal
scapular a. to
form the scapular
anastomosis
thoracic, lateral axillary a., 2nd unnamed serratus lateral thoracic a.
part muscular anterior m., is a rare case in
branches parts of that it enters the
adjacent serratus anterior
muscles, skin from its
and fascia of superficial surface
the
anterolateral
thoracic wall
thoracic, axillary a., 1st unnamed muscles of superior thoracic
superior part muscular intercostal a. anastomoses
branches spaces 1 and 2 with the
intercostal aa. for
intercostal spaces
1 and 2
thoracoacromial axillary a., 2nd pectoral br., pectoralis thoracoacromial
part clavicular br., major m., trunk pierces the
acromial br., pectoralis costocoracoid
deltoid br. minor m., membrane
subclavius m.,
deltoid m.,
shoulder joint
thoracodorsal subscapular a. unnamed latissimus thoracodorsal a.
muscular dorsi m. accompanies the
branches thoracodorsal n.
trunk, aortic arch right common right side of there is only one
brachiocephalic carotid a., right the head and brachiocephalic
subclavian a. neck; right trunk
upper limb and
right side of
the chest wall
trunk, subclavian a., 1st inferior thyroid lower neck, thyrocervical
thyrocervical part a., transverse posterior trunk does not
cervical a., shoulder, give rise to the
suprascapular a. thyroid gland ascending
cervical a.- it is a
branch of the
inferior thyroid a.
ulnar brachial a. anterior ulnar medial side of ulnar a. supplies
recurrent a., the anterior the majority of
posterior ulnar forearm, blood to the
recurrent a., posterior superficial palmar
common forearm, arterial arch; it
interosseous a., superficial normally arises at
palmar carpal br., palm, fingers the level of the
dorsal carpal br., elbow, but high
deep palmar br., branching of the
superficial brachial a. may
palmar arterial cause the ulnar a.
arch to arise as far
proximally as the
axilla
ulnar collateral, brachial a. unnamed lower medial anastomoses with
inferior muscular arm the anterior ulnar
branches recurrent a.
ulnar collateral, brachial a. unnamed medial arm travels with the
superior muscular muscles ulnar nerve;
branches anastomoses with
posterior ulnar
recurrent a.
ulnar recurrent, ulnar a. unnamed medial side of anterior ulnar
anterior muscular brs. elbow and recurrent a. often
proximal ends arises in common
of forearm with the posterior
flexor mm. ulnar recurrent a.
ulnar recurrent, ulnar a. unnamed medial side of posterior ulnar
posterior muscular the elbow, recurrent a. often
branches forearm flexor arises from a
mm. common trunk
with the anterior
ulnar recurrent a.