brachial artery

Introduction

The brachial artery is the major artery to the upper extremity (arm) arising from the subclavian artery. The subclavian artery becomes the axillary artery after crossing the first rib, then becomes the brachial artery at the inferior border of the teres major muscle. The brachial artery terminates in the cubital fossa after splitting into the radial & ulnar arteries.

Origin

• axillary artery (at the inferior border of the teres major muscle)

Branches

• profunda brachii (deep brachial artery)
• superior ulnar collateral artery
• inferior ulnar collateral artery
• muscular & nutrient arteries
• radial artery (terminal branch in the cubital fossa)
• ulnar artery (terminal branch in the cubital fossa)

More general terms

• artery

More specific terms

• superficial brachial artery

Component of

• upper extremity (upper limb)