Overview
Gross Anatomy
Subclavian Artery
Origin:
right Subclavian artery – posterior to the sternoclavicular joint.
left Subclavian artery – slightly more inferior in the thorax than the
right subclavian artery, posterior to the left common carotid artery at the
level of T4.
Path: both the right and
left subclavian arteries ascend and arch superior laterally, passing posterior
to the anterior scalene muscle on each side. They continue their course
laterally, across the first rib. They become the right and left axillary
arteries when they pass the lateral border of the first rib.
Branch: vertebral artery,
the thyrocervical trunk (inferior thyroid artery, the transverse cervical
artery, and the suprascapular arteries), the costocervical trunk (the deep cervical artery and the supreme
intercostal artery) and the internal thoracic artery.
Surface Anatomy: the subclavian
artery can be palpated deep and just lateral to the sternoclavicular joint.
Structures Supplied: the upper limbs.
It also supplies branches to the neck and brain.
Axillary Artery
Origin: lateral border of
the first rib.
Path: begins at the
lateral border of the first rib. Passes posterior to the pectoralis minor
muscle into the arm and becomes the brachial artery at the inferior border of
the teres major muscle.
Branch: superior thoracic
artery, thoraco-acromial artery, lateral thoracic artery, subscapular artery,
anterior circumflex humeral artery, posterior circumflex humeral artery.
Surface Anatomy: the axillary artery
is best palpated with the arm adducted. It can be palpated in the axilla just
lateral to the apex of the floor of the axilla.
Structures supplied: the axilla, lateral
thorax and continues as the major blood supply to the distal parts of the upper
limb.
Brachial Artery
Origin: inferior border of
the teres major muscle.
Path: the brachial
artery runs from the medial aspect of the humerus, turning inferolateral until
midway between the lateral epicondyle and medial epicondyle of the humerus. It
terminates just distal to the elbow joint opposite the neck of the radius in
the cubital fossa. Here it bifurcates into the radial and ulnar arteries.
Branch: muscular branches,
profunda brachii artery, humeral nutrient artery, superior and inferior ulnar
collateral arteries.
Surface Anatomy: most commonly
palpated at the elbow, just medial to the biceps brachii aponeurosis.
Structures Supplied: muscles of the
upper arm.
Radial Artery
Origin: originates in the
cubital fossa, as the smaller terminal branch of the bifurcation of the
brachial artery.
Path: lateral border of
the forearm.
Branch: radial recurrent
artery, palmar carpal branch, superficial palmar branch.
Surface Anatomy: the radial pulse
can be felt at the wrist, lateral to the flexor carpi radialis tendon.
Structures Supplied: forearm muscles,
carpal bones and joints.
Ulna Artery
Origin: originates in the
cubital fossa, as the larger terminal branch of the bifurcation of the brachial
artery.
Path: travels deep to the
pronator teres muscle then along the forearm between the flexor carpi ulnaris
and flexor digitorum profundus muscles. At the wrist, it passes superficially
to the flexor retinaculum to enter the hand.
Branch: anterior and
posterior branches of the ulnar recurrent artery, common interosseous artery,
dorsal carpal branch artery and palmar carpal branch artery.
Surface Anatomy: the ulnar artery is
palpable at the wrist, lateral to the flexor carpi ulnaris tendon
Structures Supplied: medial and central
forearm muscles, medial three and a half digits and the wrist.