Armarterien

Armarterien refer to the arteries supplying the upper limb, including the axillary, brachial, radial, and ulnar arteries and their branches. The arterial supply to the arm and forearm begins with the axillary artery, a continuation of the subclavian artery as it passes beyond the outer border of the first rib. The axillary artery runs along the upper limb and reaches the lower margin of the teres major, where it becomes the brachial artery. In the arm, the brachial artery gives off the profunda brachii (deep artery of the arm), which supplies the posterior compartment and typically gives rise to the radial collateral and middle collateral arteries around the elbow.

Near the elbow, the brachial artery usually divides into the radial and ulnar arteries. The radial artery travels along the lateral forearm, crosses the wrist, and contributes to the deep and superficial palmar arches in the hand. The ulnar artery runs medially along the forearm, gives off the common interosseous artery (which further divides into the anterior and posterior interosseous arteries), and largely participates in forming the superficial palmar arch.

Variations exist, such as high or low bifurcation of the brachial artery, accessory arteries, or a persistent median artery. The arm arteries are subject to common clinical considerations, including palpation for pulses (brachial in the antecubital fossa, radial at the wrist) and vulnerability to trauma or atherosclerotic disease. Adequate collateral circulation, provided by branches like the profunda brachii and surrounding arterial arches, helps maintain perfusion if a main vessel is compromised.