arterialleden

Arterialleden is a term found in some Swedish medical texts that translates roughly to the “arterial chain” of the limbs. It is not a universally formal term in English-language anatomy, but it is used to describe the arterial tree that supplies the upper and lower extremities. The concept encompasses the major arteries, their branches, and the collateral networks that maintain blood flow to the arms and legs.

In the upper limb, the arterial sequence begins with the subclavian artery, which becomes the axillary artery at the lateral border of the first rib. At the lower edge of the teres major, it becomes the brachial artery, which typically divides near the elbow into the radial and ulnar arteries. The radial and ulnar arteries contribute to the palmar arches that supply the hand.

In the lower limb, the arterial chain starts with the external iliac artery in the pelvis, which becomes the femoral artery in the thigh. The femoral artery becomes the popliteal artery behind the knee, which then divides into the anterior and posterior tibial arteries; the posterior tibial artery commonly gives rise to the fibular (peroneal) artery. These arteries, with their collaterals, maintain perfusion during movement.

The arterialleden system sustains oxygen delivery to muscle and skin, and pulses along these arteries are used in clinical assessment. Disorders include atherosclerotic peripheral artery disease, aneurysm formation, and acute arterial occlusion. Diagnosis relies on physical examination, Doppler ultrasonography, and imaging such as CT or MR angiography, with treatment ranging from lifestyle modification and medications to revascularization procedures.