Human Anatomy Vol 1

Covered rubber cuff

Stethoscope on

brachial artery

Flg.8.t1: Blood pressure being taken

tA E NERVES
Medion Ne
Median nerve is closely related to the brachial artery
throughout its course in the arm (Fig. 8.9).
In the upper part, i is lateral to the artery; in the
middle of the arm, it crosses the artery from lateral to
the medial side; and remains on the medial side of the
artery right up to.the elbow.
In the arm, the median nerve gives off a branch to
the pronator teres just above the elbow and vascular
branches to the brachial artery.
An articular branch to the elbow joint arises at the
elbow.

[.trlnor Nerve

Ulnar nerve runs on the medial side of the brachial
artery up to the level of insertion of the coracobrachialis,
where it pierces the medial intermuscular septum and
enters the posterior compartment of the arm. It is
accompanied by the superior ulnar collateral vessels.
At the elbow, it passes behind the medial epicondyle
where it can be palpated with a finger (Fig. 8.13).

ARM

Dorsalis pedis

Fig.8,t2: Palpable arteries in the body

Rodlol Ne

At the beginning of the brachial artery, the radial nerve

lies posterior to the artery. Soon the nerve leaves the

arteryby entering the radial (spiral) groove on the back

of the arm where it is accompanied by the profunda

brachii artery (Fig. 8.13).

In the lower part of the arm, the nerve appears again

on the front of the arm where it lies between the

brachialis (medially); and the brachioradialis and

extensor carpi radialis longus (laterally). Its branches

will be discussed with the back of the arm.

Dissection

ldentify the structures (see text) present in the roof of a

shallow cubitalfossa located on the front of the elbow.

Separate the lateral and medial boundaries formed

respectively by the brachioradialis and pronator teres

muscles. Clean the contents:

Brachial pulsations are felt or auscultated in front

of the elbow just medial to the tendon of biceps

for recording the blood pressure (Fig. 8.1 1). Figure

8.12 shows other palpable arteries.

Although the brachial artery can be compressed

anywhere along its course, it can be compressed

most favourably in the middle of the arm, where

it lies on the tendon of the coracobrachialis.

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