Learn / Flow

Upper limb arteries

Subclavian → axillary → brachial → radial & ulnar → palmar arches, with every named branch. Learn what flows into what: Arises from, Gives rise to, and Trace the route from the subclavian to any vessel.

Figure
Left to right = proximal to distal. Nodes with two incoming lines are anastomoses (the palmar arches). Scroll sideways when zoomed.
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Subclavian arterySubclavianVertebral arteryVertebralInternal thoracic arteryInternal thoracicThyrocervical trunkThyrocervical trunkCostocervical trunkCostocervical trunkDorsal scapular arteryDorsal scapularInferior thyroid arteryInferior thyroidSuprascapular arterySuprascapularTransverse cervical arteryTransverse cervicalAxillary arteryAxillarySuperior thoracic arterySuperior thoracicThoracoacromial arteryThoracoacromialLateral thoracic arteryLateral thoracicSubscapular arterySubscapularAnterior circumflex humeral arteryAnterior circumflex humeralPosterior circumflex humeral arteryPosterior circumflex humeralCircumflex scapular arteryCircumflex scapularThoracodorsal arteryThoracodorsalBrachial arteryBrachialProfunda brachii (deep brachial) arteryProfunda brachii (deep brach…Superior ulnar collateral arterySuperior ulnar collateralInferior ulnar collateral arteryInferior ulnar collateralRadial collateral arteryRadial collateralMiddle collateral arteryMiddle collateralRadial arteryRadialRadial recurrent arteryRadial recurrentSuperficial palmar branch of radialSuperficial palmar branch of…Princeps pollicis arteryPrinceps pollicisDeep palmar archDeep palmar archUlnar arteryUlnarAnterior ulnar recurrent arteryAnterior ulnar recurrentPosterior ulnar recurrent arteryPosterior ulnar recurrentCommon interosseous arteryCommon interosseousAnterior interosseous arteryAnterior interosseousPosterior interosseous arteryPosterior interosseousSuperficial palmar archSuperficial palmar archDeep palmar branch of ulnarDeep palmar branch of ulnarCommon palmar digital arteriesCommon palmar digitalPalmar metacarpal arteriesPalmar metacarpal

How to read it

The subclavian gives five branches (VIT C D: Vertebral, Internal thoracic, Thyrocervical, Costocervical, Dorsal scapular) and becomes the axillary at the 1st rib. The axillary has 1, 2, 3 branches from its three parts (superior thoracic; thoracoacromial + lateral thoracic; subscapular + anterior and posterior circumflex humeral) and becomes the brachial at teres major. The brachial gives profunda brachii and the two ulnar collaterals, then splits into radial and ulnar at the cubital fossa. Radial → deep palmar arch; ulnar → superficial palmar arch.

Click any vessel to see its notes and highlight everything upstream and downstream of it.

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