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Arteries of the upper extremity
Last reviewed: 07.07.2025
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The axillary artery, its continuation - the brachial artery and the branches extending from them - are directed to the upper limb.
The axillary artery (a. axillaris) is a continuation of the subclavian artery (from the level of the 1st rib). It is located deep in the axillary fossa and is surrounded by the trunks of the brachial plexus. At the lower edge of the tendon of the latissimus dorsi, the axillary artery passes into the brachial artery. According to the topography of the anterior wall of the axillary fossa, the axillary artery is conventionally divided into three sections.
The brachial artery (a. brachialis) is a continuation of the axillary artery. It begins at the level of the lower edge of the pectoralis major muscle and here lies in front of the coracobrachialis muscle. Then the artery is located on the anterior surface of the brachialis muscle, in a groove passing medially to the biceps brachii muscle.
The radial artery (a. radialis) begins 1-3 cm distal to the cleft of the brachioradialis joint and continues the direction of the brachial artery. Initially, the radial artery lies between the pronator teres and the brachioradialis muscle, and in the lower third of the forearm it is covered only by fascia and skin, so its pulsation is easy to feel here. In the distal part of the forearm, the radial artery, having rounded the styloid process of the radius, passes to the back of the hand, and then through the first interosseous space penetrates into the palm.
The ulnar artery (a. ulnaris) is a continuation of the brachial artery, from which it branches off in the cubital fossa at the level of the coronoid process of the ulna. Then, on its way to the hand, the artery goes under the round pronator, giving off muscle branches to it. Then, accompanied by the ulnar nerve, the artery passes in the distal direction between the superficial and deep flexors of the fingers. Through a gap in the medial part of the flexor retinaculum and under the muscles of the eminence of the little finger, the ulnar artery penetrates the palm. Here it anastomoses with the superficial palmar branch of the radial artery, forming the superficial palmar arch (arcus palmaris superficialis).
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