Brachial artery

{{

 Caption2    = Right upper limb, anterior view, brachial artery and elbow. |
 BranchFrom  = axillary artery |
 BranchTo    = Profunda brachii
Superior ulnar collateral artery
Inferior ulnar collateral artery
 |
 Vein        = brachial vein |
 Supplies    = biceps brachii muscle, triceps brachii muscle|
 MeshName    = Brachial+Artery |
 MeshNumber  = A07.231.114.139 |

}} The brachial artery is the major blood vessel of the (upper) arm.

It is the continuation of the axillary artery beyond the lower margin of teres major muscle. It continues down the ventral surface of the arm until it reaches the cubital fossa at the elbow. It then divides into the radial and ulnar arteries which run down the forearm. In some individuals, the bifurcation occurs much earlier and the ulnar and radial arteries extend through the upper arm. The pulse of the brachial artery is palpable on the anterior aspect of the elbow, medial to the tendon of the biceps, and, with the use of a stethoscope and sphygmomanometer (blood pressure cuff) often used to measure the blood pressure.

The brachial artery is closely related to the median nerve; in proximal regions, the median nerve is immediately lateral to the brachial artery. Distally, the median nerve crosses the medial side of the brachial artery and lies anterior to the elbow joint.

Branches

• Profunda brachii artery (deep brachial artery)
• Superior ulnar collateral artery
• Inferior ulnar collateral artery
• Radial artery (a terminal branch)
• Ulnar artery (a terminal branch)
• Nutrient branches to the humerus

as well as important anastomotic networks of the elbow and (as the axillary artery) the shoulder.

The biceps head is lateral to the brachial artery. The median nerve is medial to the brachial artery for most of its course.

Additional images

• 
  Cross-section through the middle of upper arm.
• 
  The axillary artery and its branches.
• 
  The radial and ulnar arteries.
• 
  Ulnar and radial arteries. Deep view.
• 
  The deep veins of the upper extremity.
• 
  The right brachial plexus (infraclavicular portion) in the axillary fossa; viewed from below and in front.
• 
  Front of right upper extremity, showing surface markings for bones, arteries, and nerves.

External links

• Dissection at mvm.ed.ac.uk
• Image at umich.edu - pulse
• Template:EMedicineDictionary
• lesson4arteriesofarm at The Anatomy Lesson by Wesley Norman (Georgetown University)