Deep artery of arm
Deep artery of the arm (or profunda brachii artery) is a significant artery located in the upper limb. It branches from the brachial artery near the level of the teres major muscle, serving as the principal source of blood supply to the triceps brachii muscle and contributing to the vascular network around the humerus.
Anatomy[edit | edit source]
The deep artery of the arm typically originates from the brachial artery just below the lower border of the teres major muscle. It travels posteriorly, running alongside the radial nerve through the radial groove of the humerus. This close relationship with the radial nerve is clinically significant, as injuries to this area may affect both the artery and the nerve.
As it descends, it gives off several branches:
- Nutrient arteries to the humerus, which enter the bone to supply the marrow and bone tissue.
- Muscular branches to the triceps brachii, providing the muscle with oxygenated blood.
- The radial collateral artery, which runs towards the elbow to anastomose with the radial recurrent artery, contributing to the elbow joint's blood supply.
- The middle collateral artery, which descends to the elbow to anastomose with the interosseous recurrent artery, also aiding in the vascularization of the elbow joint.
Function[edit | edit source]
The primary function of the deep artery of the arm is to supply blood to the triceps brachii muscle and the humerus. By branching into smaller arteries, it ensures that these structures receive an adequate blood supply, essential for their proper function and health. Additionally, its collateral branches play a crucial role in forming anastomoses around the elbow joint, ensuring a continuous blood supply during joint movements.
Clinical Significance[edit | edit source]
Injury to the deep artery of the arm can occur due to fractures of the humerus, especially those involving the radial groove, where the artery runs closely with the radial nerve. Such injuries may lead to significant bleeding and may compromise the blood supply to the parts of the arm supplied by this artery. Prompt diagnosis and management are essential to prevent complications.
See Also[edit | edit source]
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD