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Arteries of the upper limb
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024
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The axillary artery is directed to the upper limb, its extension is the brachial artery and branches that branch from them.
Axillary artery (a.axillaris) is a continuation of the subclavian artery (from level I of the rib). It is located in the depth of the axillary fossa and is surrounded by trunks of the brachial plexus. At the lower edge of the tendon of the latissimus muscle, the axillary artery passes into the brachial artery. Accordingly, the topography of the anterior wall of the axillary fovea axillary artery is conventionally divided into three sections.
The brachial artery (a. Brachialis) is a continuation of the axillary artery. It starts at the level of the lower edge of the large pectoral muscle and lies here in front of the beak-brachial muscle. Then the artery is located on the anterior surface of the shoulder muscle, in the furrow that passes medially biceps muscle of the shoulder.
The radial artery (a. Radialis) begins 1-3 cm distal to the cleft of the humerus and continues the direction of the brachial artery. Initially, the radial artery lies between the round pronator and the humerus muscle, and in the lower third of the forearm is covered only by fascia and skin, so it is easy to probe its pulsation. In the distal part of the forearm, the radial argeria, bypassing the styloid process of the radius, passes to the rear of the hand, and then penetrates the palm through the first interosseous interval.
The ulnar artery (a. Ulnaris) is, as it were, an extension of the brachial artery, from which it extends in the ulnar fossa at the level of the coronoid process of the ulna. Then on the way to the brush the artery goes under the round pronator, giving to it the muscle branches. Further, the artery, accompanied by the ulnar nerve, passes distally between the superficial and deep flexors of the fingers. Through the gap in the medial part of the flexor retainer and under the muscles of the pinky's elevation, the ulnar artery penetrates into the palm. Here she anastomoses with the superficial palmar branch of the radial artery, forming a superficial palmar arc (arcus palmaris superficialis).
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