Vascular Anatomy of the Upper Limb

Practice flashcards covering the vascular system of the upper limb, including arterial origins, branches, hand arches, and the venous system.

Right subclavian artery

An artery that originates from the brachiocephalic artery.

Left subclavian artery

An artery that originates from the arch of the aorta.

Axillary artery

The continuation of the subclavian artery that begins at the lateral border of the $1^{st}$ rib and continues as the brachial artery at the lower border of the teres major muscle.

$1^{st}$ part of the axillary artery

The section extending from the lateral border of the $1^{st}$ rib to the upper border of the pectoralis minor muscle; it gives off the highest thoracic artery.

$2^{nd}$ part of the axillary artery

The section lying behind the pectoralis minor muscle; it gives off the thoracoacromial and lateral thoracic arteries.

$3^{rd}$ part of the axillary artery

The section extending from the lower border of the pectoralis minor to the lower border of the teres major; it gives off the subscapular, anterior circumflex humeral, and posterior circumflex humeral arteries.

Anastomosis around the shoulder joint

Vascular communication between branches of the subclavian artery (suprascapular, superficial cervical) and the axillary artery (subscapular, anterior/posterior circumflex humeral).

Brachial artery

The main arterial supply for the arm, continuing from the axillary artery and terminating opposite the neck of the radius by dividing into radial and ulnar arteries.

Profunda brachii

A branch of the brachial artery involved in the anastomosis around the elbow joint.

Ulnar artery

The larger terminal branch of the brachial artery; it begins in the cubital fossa and ends by forming the superficial palmar arch.

Common interosseous artery

A branch of the ulnar artery that gives rise to the anterior and posterior interosseous arteries.

Radial artery

The smaller terminal branch of the brachial artery; it winds around the lateral aspect of the wrist to the dorsum of the hand and ends as the deep palmar arch.

Arteria princeps pollicis

A branch given off by the radial artery upon entering the palm.

Superficial palmar arch

A vascular arch formed primarily as the direct continuation of the ulnar artery, located at the level of the distal border of the extended thumb.

Deep palmar arch

A vascular arch formed primarily as the continuation of the radial artery, located at the level of the proximal border of the extended thumb.

Venae comitantes

Deep veins that accompany arteries in pairs, situated on either side of the corresponding artery and connected by short transverse branches.

Cephalic vein

A superficial vein arising from the lateral dorsal venous arch, ascending in the deltopectoral groove and draining into the axillary vein.

Basilic vein

A superficial vein arising from the medial dorsal venous arch; it pierces the deep fascia in the middle of the arm to join the brachial or axillary vein.

Median cubital vein

A vein in the cubital fossa that links the cephalic and basilic veins; it is a frequent site for venipuncture.

Axillary vein

A vein beginning at the lower border of the teres major as a continuation of the basilic vein and ending at the outer border of the $1^{st}$ rib as the subclavian vein.

Subclavian vein

The continuation of the axillary vein that unites with the internal jugular vein to form the brachiocephalic (innominate) vein.

Radial pulse

Palpated where the radial artery lies superficial to the distal end of the radius between the tendons of brachioradialis and flexor carpi radialis.

Raynaud's disease

A vasospastic disease involving digital arteries that may cause necrosis of the fingers and may require cervicodorsal preganglionic sympathectomy.