Ulnar artery

Ulnar artery definition

The ulnar artery (arteria ulnaris, локтевая артерия) is the larger medial terminal branch of the brachial artery (arteria brachialis, плечевая артерия) it supplies the medial side of the forearm, the hand, and the fingers

Origin of ulnar artery

Begins in the cubital fossa (fossa cubiti, локтевая ямка) at the level of the neck of the radius as the medial terminal branch of the brachial artery

Course of ulnar artery in forearm

Passes obliquely medially and downward under the pronator teres (m. pronator teres, круглый пронатор) and then continues between the flexor carpi ulnaris (m. flexor carpi ulnaris, локтевой сгибатель запястья) and flexor digitorum profundus (m. flexor digitorum profundus, глубокий сгибатель пальцев)

Surface relation of ulnar artery

In the upper two-thirds of the forearm it is deep to muscles in the lower third it becomes superficial, covered only by fascia and skin

Termination of ulnar artery

Enters the palm superficial to the flexor retinaculum (retinaculum flexorum, удерживатель сгибателей) lateral to the pisiform bone (os pisiforme, гороховидная кость), continues as the superficial palmar arch (arcus palmaris superficialis, поверхностная ладонная дуга)

Companion nerves of ulnar artery

In upper forearm it runs with the median nerve (n. medianus, срединный нерв) n lower forearm, it accompanies the ulnar nerve (n. ulnaris, локтевой нерв)

Branches of ulnar artery

1) Ulnar recurrent arteries (arteriae recurrentes ulnares), 2) Common interosseous artery (arteria interossea communis), 3) Muscular branches (rami musculares), 4) Palmar and dorsal carpal branches (rami carpales palmaris et dorsalis), 5) Superficial palmar branch (ramus palmaris superficialis), 6) Deep palmar branch (ramus palmaris profundus)

Anterior ulnar recurrent artery

Arteria recurrens ulnaris anterior (передняя локтевая возвратная артерия) arises near the origin of the ulnar artery, ascends anterior to the medial epicondyle and anastomoses with the inferior ulnar collateral artery

Posterior ulnar recurrent artery

Arteria recurrens ulnaris posterior (задняя локтевая возвратная артерия) arises just below the anterior recurrent, ascends posterior to the medial epicondyle, anastomosing with the superior ulnar collateral artery

Common interosseous artery

Arteria interossea communis (общая межкостная артерия), short thick branch from upper ulnar artery, divides into anterior and posterior interosseous arteries

Anterior interosseous artery

Arteria interossea anterior (передняя межкостная артерия), descends on anterior surface of interosseous membrane (membrana interossea antebrachii, межкостная перепонка предплечья) with anterior interosseous nerve, supplies deep flexors

Posterior interosseous artery

Arteria interossea posterior (задняя межкостная артерия), passes to posterior compartment through upper gap in interosseous membrane, supplies extensors, gives interosseous recurrent artery (a. recurrens interossea)

Interosseous recurrent artery

Arteria recurrens interossea (возвратная межкостная артерия), ascends to anastomose with the middle collateral artery (a. collateralis media) from deep artery of the arm

Muscular branches of ulnar artery

Rami musculares (мышечные ветви), numerous small branches to flexor carpi ulnaris, flexor digitorum superficialis, and pronator teres

Palmar carpal branch

Ramus carpalis palmaris (ладонная запястная ветвь), runs laterally across front of wrist, forms palmar carpal arch (rete carpale palmare) with palmar carpal branch of radial artery

Dorsal carpal branch

Ramus carpalis dorsalis (тыльная запястная ветвь), runs dorsally forming dorsal carpal arch (rete carpale dorsale) with radial artery branch, supplies dorsal wrist and hand

Superficial palmar branch

Ramus palmaris superficialis (поверхностная ладонная ветвь), joins radial artery branch to form superficial palmar arch (arcus palmaris superficialis), supplies fingers through common digital arteries

Deep palmar branch

Ramus palmaris profundus (глубокая ладонная ветвь), passes through hypothenar muscles, joins deep palmar arch (arcus palmaris profundus) formed mainly by radial artery

Superficial palmar arch formation

Formed mainly by ulnar artery, completed by superficial branch of radial artery, located beneath palmar aponeurosis

Deep palmar arch formation

Formed mainly by radial artery, completed by deep branch of ulnar artery, lies on bases of metacarpals and interosseous muscles

Clinical significance ulnar artery

Major contributor to hand blood supplyits patency is checked by Allen’s test before radial cannulation

Palpation site ulnar artery

Palpated at wrist lateral to flexor carpi ulnaris tendon (m. flexor carpi ulnaris) where it lies superficial and accessible

Ulnar artery injury

Can occur in wrist trauma or deep lacerations

Common interosseous artery significance

Important branch for supplying deep flexors, extensors, and interosseous membrane

Elbow anastomosis participation

Ulnar recurrent arteries participate in collateral circulation around elbow with ulnar collaterals

Ulnar artery in hand

Supplies hypothenar muscles, medial palm, and contributes to digital arteries through superficial palmar arch

Clinical use ulnar artery

Provides alternate arterial line site if radial artery unavailable