VASCULAR ANATOMY

OF
THE UPPER LIMB

Dr.Vidya Sagar
ARTERIES OF THE UPPER LIMB
Right subclavian Left subclavian
artery artery

Axillary artery

Brachial artery

Ulnar
artery
Radial
artery

Palmar
arches
The superior vena cava is above the
heart and carries de-oxygenated
blood from the head and arms to
the right atrium of the heart.

The inferior vena cava is the

largest vein of the body. It carries
de-oxygenated blood back from
the lower part of the body to the
right atrium of the heart. This
blood is carrying carbon dioxide.

From the right atrium, the blood

flows through the tricuspid valve to
the right ventricle and then onto the
lungs through the pulmonary valve
and pulmonary artery.
In the lungs, the blood exchanges the carbon
dioxide it is carrying for oxygen.

The fully oxygenated blood now flows

BACK to the left atrium of the heart
through the pulmonary veins.

The oxygenated blood leaves the left

atrium through the mitral (bicuspid)
valve into the left ventricle, gets
pumped from the left ventricle
through the aortic valve to the aorta.
 The aorta is the largest artery of the
body. The ascending aorta leaves the
heart, curves in an inverted ‘U’ shape
making an arch, and then descends
downward.

At the arch of the aorta, 3 branches extend

upward…
1. The brachiocephalic artery (or
innominate artery) quickly divides into
the Right subclavian artery that
supplies blood to the right arm and
upper
2. Right common carotid artery that
supplies the head and neck.
2. The left common carotid artery
supplies the head and neck.
3. The left subclavian artery supplies
the left arm and upper
‘Subclavian’ means it is located
below the clavicle… or collarbone.
BLOOD SUPPLY OF UPPER LIMB

 The arterial supply to the upper limb is delivered via

five main vessels (proximal to distal):
 Subclavian artery

 Axillary artery

 Brachial artery

 Radial artery

 Ulnar artery
SUBCLAVIAN ARTERY

 The arterial supply to the upper limb begins as

the subclavian artery. On the right, the subclavian
artery arises from the brachiocephalic trunk.
 On the left, it branches directly from the arch of aorta.

 The subclavian artery travels laterally towards the axilla.

 At the lateral border of the first rib, the subclavian artery

enters the axilla – and is renamed the axillary artery.
AXILLA: AXILLARY ARTERY

 The axillary artery lies deep to the pectoralis minor and

is enclosed in the axillary sheath
 Importantly, the artery can be divided into three parts
based on its position relative to the pectoralis
minor muscle:
 First part – proximal to pectoralis minor

 Second part – posterior to pectoralis minor

 Third part – distal to pectoralis minor

BRACHIAL ARTERY
 BEGINING :
 Brachial artery is the continuation of the axillary artery. It
extends from the lower border of teres major muscle.

 COURSE:
 It runs downwards and laterally in front of the arm and
crosess the elbow.

 TERMINATION:
 Terminates at the level of the neck of radius in the cubital
fossa just medial to the tendon of Biceps Brachii by dividing
into radial & ulnar arteries.
RELATIONS
 It is superficial throughout its extent and accompanied by
two venae comitantes.
 Anteriorly: In the middle of the arm

 it is crossed from above downwards by median nerve from

the lateral to the medial side.
 Posterioly: Triceps brachii, Radial nerve and Profunda
brachii artery.
 Medially: In the upper part it is related to ulnar nerve and
the bascilic vein.
 In the lower part to the median nerve.

 Laterally: coracbrachialis and biceps muscles and the

median nerve in its upper part.
 Tendon of bicpes brachii at the elbow.
 At the elbow the structures from medial to lateral are in
the following manner
 The Median nerve

 The Brachial artery

 The Biceps brachi

 The Radial nerve

BRANCHES

 Unnamed Muscular barnches

 Profunda brachii :It branch arises just below the teres

major and accompanies the radial nerve

 Superior ulnar collateral:It branch arises in the upper

part of the arm and accompanies the ulnar nerve

 Inferior ulnar collateral : Arises in the lower part and

takes part in the anastamosis around the elbow joint.

 Nutrient Artery :supplied to the humerus

 The Brachial artery ends by dividing into two terminal
branches
 Radial artery

 Ulnar artery
Thank you