Human Anatomy Vol 1

DISSECT!ON
Dissect the brachial artery as it lies on the medial side
of the upper paft of the arm medial to median nerve
and lateral to ulnar nerve (Fig.8.9).
ln the lower half of the upper arm, the brachial artery
is seen lateral to the median nerve as the nerve crosses
the brachial afiery from lateral to medial side. Note that
the median nerve and brachial artery are forming
together a neurovascular bundle.
Ulnar nerve accompanied by the superior ulnar
collateral branch of the brachial artery will be dissected
later as it reaches the posterior (extensor) compafiment
of the upper arm after piercing the medial intermuscular
septum.
Look for the radial nerve on the posterior aspect of
artery before it enters the radial groove.
Clean the branches of brachial ar1ery and identify
other arteries which take part in the arterial
anastomoses around the elbow joint.

Long head of biceps brachii

Short head of biceps brachii

Radial recurrent artery

Radial artery

Brachioradialls

ARM

Feolures

Brachial artery is the continuation of the axillary artery.

It extends from the lower border of the teres major

muscle to a point in front of the elbow, at the level of

the neck of the radius, just medial to the tendon of the

biceps brachii.

Beginning, Course ond lerminolion

Brachial artery begins at the lower border of teres major

muscle as continuation of axillary artery. It runs

downwards and laterally in the front of arm and crosses

the elbow joint. It ends at the level of the neck of radius

in the cubital fossa by dividing into its two terminal

branches, the radial and ulnar arteries.

Relotions

1 It runs downwards and laterally, from the medial

side of the arm to the front of the elbow.

2 It is superficial throughout its extent and is

accompanied by two venae comitantes.

3 Anteriorly, in the middle of the arm it is crossed by

the median nerve from the lateral to the medial side;

Lateral cord

Medial cord

Pectoralis minor

Medial cutaneous nerve

of arm

Brachial artery and median nerve

Ulnar nerve and superior ulnar

collateral artery

Medial cutaneous nerve

of forearm

Ulnar artery

Bicipital aponeurosis

ll

E

=o

CL

CL

f

.o

oc)

Fig.8.9: The course and relations of the brachial artery a