Vessel
Brachial artery
Arterial connection from shoulder to forearm
High-yield
In the cubital fossa, the artery lies medial to the biceps tendon. Its accessible pulse and response to an arm cuff make it the usual artery for routine blood-pressure measurement.
Overview
Below teres major, the axillary vessel continues as the brachial artery. It supplies branches along the arm and normally divides near the elbow into the radial and ulnar arteries.
Reference facts
- Origin
- Axillary artery continuing past the inferior border of teres major
- Course
- Down the anterior-medial arm into the cubital fossa; usually divides near the radial neck, although a higher division can occur
- Branches
- Profunda brachii, superior and inferior ulnar collateral arteries, muscular branches, then the terminal radial and ulnar arteries
- Supplies
- Arm tissues directly and through its branches; forearm and hand through the radial and ulnar continuations
Clinical correlation
An injury around the distal humerus can compromise brachial flow. Prolonged forearm ischemia, including injury associated with compartment syndrome, can damage muscle and leave a fixed flexion deformity called Volkmann contracture.
Frequently asked questions
Where does the brachial artery originate?
The brachial artery arises from the axillary artery continuing past the inferior border of teres major.
What does the brachial artery supply?
Arm tissues directly and through its branches; forearm and hand through the radial and ulnar continuations.
What are the branches of the brachial artery?
Profunda brachii, superior and inferior ulnar collateral arteries, muscular branches, then the terminal radial and ulnar arteries.
What is the course of the brachial artery?
Down the anterior-medial arm into the cubital fossa; usually divides near the radial neck, although a higher division can occur.