Anatomy

UNIT: ANATOMY & PHYSIOLOGY
UNIT CODE: 003

GROUP 1
ASSIGNMENT: Arterial and venous circulation in the
upper limbs.
Circulation of blood to the upper limb
a) Arterial supply
The subclavian arteries
The right subclavian artery arises from the brachiocephalic artery; the
left branch from the arch of the aorta.
They are slightly arched and pass behind the clavicles and over the
first ribs before entering the axillae, where they continue as
the axillary arteries.
Before entering the axilla, each subclavian artery gives off two
branches.
• The vertebral artery which passes upwards to supply the brain.
• The internal thoracic artery, which supplies the breast and a number
of structures in the thoracic cavity.
The axillary artery is a continuation of the subclavian artery and lies
in the axilla.
The first part lies deeply; then it runs more superficially to become
the brachial artery.
The brachial artery is a continuation of the axillary artery.
It runs down the medial aspect of the upper arm, passes to the front
of the elbow and extends to about 1 cm below the joint, where it
divides into the radial and ulnar arteries.
The radial artery passes down the radial or lateral side of the forearm
to the wrist.
Just above the wrist it lies superficially and can be felt in front of the
radius, as the radial pulse.
The artery then passes between the first and second metacarpal
bones and enters the palm of the hand.
The ulnar artery runs downwards on the ulnar or medial aspect of the
forearm to cross the wrist and pass into the hand.
There are anastomoses between the radial and ulnar arteries, called
the deep and superficial palmar arches, from which palmar
metacarpal and palmar digital arteries arise to supply the structures in
the hand and fingers.
Cont…….
NB;
Anastomoses are arteries that form a link between main arteries
supplying an area e.g. the arterial supply to the palms of the hand
and soles of the feet, the brain, the joints and, to a limited extent, the
heart muscle.
If one artery supplying the area is occluded, anastomotic arteries
provide a collateral circulation.
This is most likely to provide an adequate blood supply when the
occlusion occurs gradually, giving the anastomotic arteries time to
dilate.
b) Venous return from the upper limb
The veins of the upper limb are divided into two groups:
Deep Veins Superficial Veins

The deep veins- follow the course of The Superficial veins begin in the
the arteries and have the same hand and consist of the following:
names:  Cephalic vein
Palmar metacarpal veins  Basilic vein
Deep palmar venous arch  Median vein
Ulnar and radial veins  Median cubital vein.
Brachial vein
Axillary vein
Subclavian vein.
NB;
Dark blue indicates deep veins.
The cephalic vein begins at the back of the hand where it collects
blood from a complex of superficial veins, many of which can be
easily seen.
It then winds round the radial side to the anterior aspect of the
forearm.
In front of the elbow it gives off a large branch, the median cubital
vein, which slants upwards and medially to join the basilic vein.
After crossing the elbow joint, the cephalic vein passes up the lateral
aspect of the arm and in front of the shoulder joint to end in the
axillary vein.
Throughout its length it receives blood from the superficial tissues on
the lateral aspects of the hand, forearm and arm.
The basilic vein begins at the back of the hand on the ulnar aspect.
 It ascends on the medial side of the forearm and upper arm then
joins the axillary vein.
 It receives blood from the medial aspect of the hand, forearm and
arm.
There are many small veins which link the cephalic and basilic veins.
• The median vein is a small vein that is not always present.
• It begins at the palmar surface of the hand, ascends on the front of
the forearm and ends in the basilic vein or the median cubital vein.
The brachiocephalic vein is formed when the subclavian and internal
jugular veins unite.
NB; There is one on each side.
The superior vena cava is formed when the two brachiocephalic veins
unite.
 It drains all the venous blood from the head, neck and upper limbs
and terminates in the right atrium.
NB; It is about 7 cm long and passes downwards along the right
border of the sternum.

Anatomy

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Anatomy

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UNIT: ANATOMY & PHYSIOLOGY

UNIT CODE: 003

Deep Veins Superficial Veins

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