Main Blood Vessels of the Upper Limb
Axillary Artery
- Origin: Brachiocephalic trunk
- Extent: From the outer border of the first rib to the lower border of teres major
- Parts:
- First part: Ascending part between the outer border of the first rib and the lower border of teres major
- Second part: Cord-like part behind the subscapularis muscle
- Third part: Descending part between the lower border of teres major and the lateral border of biceps
- Branches:
- Superior thoracic artery (first part)
- Thoracoacromial artery (first part)
- Lateral thoracic artery (first part)
- Subscapular artery (second part)
- Anterior circumflex humeral artery (third part)
- Posterior circumflex humeral artery (third part)
- Distribution: Shoulder and upper arm
Brachial Artery
- Origin: Axillary artery
- Extent: From the lower border of teres major to the cubital fossa
- Parts:
- Ascending part: Behind the biceps
- Descending part: In front of the biceps
- Branches:
- Deep artery of arm (descending part)
- Superior ulnar collateral artery (descending part)
- Inferior ulnar collateral artery (descending part)
- Ulnar artery (descending part)
- Radial artery (descending part)
- Distribution: Upper arm, forearm, and hand
Radial Artery
- Origin: Brachial artery
- Extent: From the lateral supracondylar ridge to the radial styloid process
- Parts:
- Forearm part: In front of the flexor carpi radialis
- Dorsal part: Over the wrist
- Branches:
- Profunda brachii artery (forearm part)
- Radial recurrent artery (forearm part)
- Palmar carpal branch (dorsal part)
- Distribution: Back of the forearm, wrist, and thumb
Ulnar Artery
- Origin: Brachial artery
- Extent: From the medial epicondyle to the little finger
- Branches:
- Common interosseous artery
- Musculocutaneous artery
- Dorsal carpal branch
- Distribution: Forearm, wrist, and little finger
Superficial Veins of Upper Extremity
- Cephalic vein:
- Origin: Back of the hand
- Extent: From the radial artery to the axillary vein
- Basilic vein:
- Origin: Back of the hand
- Extent: From the ulnar artery to the axillary vein
- Median cubital vein:
- Origin: Back of the hand
- Extent: From the cephalic vein to the basilic vein
- Distribution: Back of the hand, forearm, and axilla
Superficial and Deep Palmar Arches
- Superficial palmar arch:
- Origin: Radial artery
- Extent: From the radial artery to the median nerve
- Branches:
- Palmar metacarpal branches
- Palmar digital branches
- Deep palmar arch:
- Origin: Radial artery and ulnar artery
- Extent: From the radial artery and ulnar artery to the median nerve
- Branches:
- Palmar metacarpal branches
- Palmar digital branches
Venous Drainage of Upper Extremity
- Superficial veins:
- Cephalic vein and basilic vein
- Merge to form the median cubital vein
- Median cubital vein merges with the axillary vein
- Deep veins:
- Radial and ulnar veins
- Merge to form the median cubital vein
- Median cubital vein merges with the axillary vein
Applied Anatomy
- Axillary artery: Used for surgical anastomosis of the upper limb
- Brachial artery: Used for blood donation and angiography
- Radial artery: Used for arterial puncture and blood pressure measurement
- Ulnar artery: Used for blood donation and angiography
- Superficial veins: Used for blood donation and phlebotomy
- Palmar arches: Used for surgical anastomosis of the hand
Embryology
- Development of upper limb:
- Step 1 → Formation of limb bud
- Step 2 → Development of arm, forearm, and hand
- Step 3 → Formation of bones, joints, and muscles
Innervation and Blood Supply
- Sensory innervation:
- Radial nerve: Skin of the back of the arm and forearm
- Median nerve: Skin of the thumb and index finger
- Ulnar nerve: Skin of the little finger
- Motor innervation:
- Radial nerve: Extensor muscles of the arm and forearm
- Median nerve: Flexor muscles of the thumb and index finger
- Ulnar nerve: Flexor muscles of the little finger
- Blood supply:
- Axillary artery: Shoulder and upper arm
- Brachial artery: Upper arm, forearm, and hand
- Radial and ulnar arteries: Forearm and hand
Lymph Drainage
- Lymph nodes:
- Axillary lymph nodes
- Elbow lymph nodes
- Forearm lymph nodes
- Lymphatic vessels:
- Radial and ulnar lymphatic vessels
- Merge to form the median cubital lymphatic vessel
- Median cubital lymphatic vessel merges with the axillary lymphatic vessel