The vessels of the arms are a road map of arteries, veins, and
nerves. The arteries deliver oxygenated blood to muscles and bone, the veins
return blood to the heart, and the nerves relay messages to the brain.
Arteries
Oxygenated blood begins its journey into the arm by leaving
the aortic arch and passing into one of two subclavian arteries. These travel
under the collarbones in each shoulder and down the arms. They branch out
further to form other arteries:
- Brachial
artery: The brachial artery is
the major artery of the upper arm. It travels down the upper arm and through
the elbow before diving into the radial and ulnar arteries.
- Radial
artery: This artery splits from the brachial artery to follow the radius
bone on the thumb side of the forearm.
- Ulnar
artery: Opposite of the radial artery, this artery follows the ulna bone in
the forearm on the “pinkie” finger side of the forearm.
- Deep
palmar arch: This series of arteries forms where the ulnar and radial
arteries meet in the palm of the hand. This semicircular artery branches into
the arteries of the fingers, which are known as palmar digital branches.
Veins
Whereas the arteries in arm form a clean loop-like
distribution system for oxygenated blood, the veins that carry oxygen-depleted
blood back to the heart create a more intricate web-like drainage system.
Some of the veins in the arm include:
- Dorsal
venous network: This web of veins extends across the back of the hand.
- Superficial
veins: As their name implies, these veins are close to the skin’s surface.
These veins are only present in extremities and are easily detected in the back
of the hand and the forearm in most people.
- Cephalic
vein: This large vein travels through the upper arm before branching near
the elbow and into the forearm. It is often easily seen through the skin in the
bicep region.
- Basilic
vein: Opposite the cephalic vein, the basilic vein travels through the arm
near the tricep muscle on the underside of the arm.
Damage to these major veins and arteries, especially trauma
to the forearm, can be fatal.
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