Vasculature and Nerves of the Upper Limbs

Arteries: Arm, forearm, hands

Main arterial supply of the upper limb is the brachial artery.

Subclavian artery

• Axillary artery

  • Brachial artery

    • Radial artery

    • Ulnar artery

      • Palmar arch (superficial and deep)

Axillary vein (3 superficial and 3 deep veins)

Superficial veins

• Cephalic

• Basilic

• Median cubital vein (junction of cephalic and basicilic veins at the cubital fossa)

Deep veins

• Brachial vein

  • Radial vein

  • Ulnar vein

    • Palmar arch (superficial and deep)

Spinal cord

Bundle of nerves enclosed in the vertebral foramen of the vertebral column

Cervical nerves

C1-C8

one extra nerve in cervical region (7 vertebrae)

Thoracic nerves

T1-T12

Lumbar nerves

L1-L5

Sacrum

S1-S5

Brachial plexus

5 Roots

3 trunks

• superior, middle, inferior

2 divisions

• anterior- 3

• posterior- 3

3 cords

• lateral

• posterior

• medial

5 terminal branches

• musculocutaneous nerve

• axillary nerve

• radial nerve

• median nerve

• ulnar nerve

Median nerve

Formed in the axilla by the union of medial and lateral cords

Ulnar nerve

Arises from the medial cord of the brachial plexus

Musculocutaneous nerve

Arises from the lateral cord of the brachial plexus

Radial nerve

Formed by the posterior cord of the brachial plexus

Axillary nerve

Also, circumflex nerve.

Originates at the level of the axilla and wraps around the humerus