Upper limb
Deep artery of arm (Profunda brachii artery)
Arteria profunda brachii
- Origin
- Posteromedial branch of the proximal brachial artery just below teres major
- Insertion
- Accompanies the radial nerve in the radial groove to supply the posterior compartment of the arm
- Function
- Primary blood supply to triceps brachii and posterior arm; contributes to the elbow collateral anastomotic network
- Innervation
- Sympathetic perivascular fibers
- Movement & chain
- Protected posteriorly along the spiral groove during arm motion
- Palpation
- Not palpably accessible due to deep submuscular position under the triceps
- Clinical
- Risk of laceration in midshaft humerus fractures alongside radial nerve injury ('wrist drop')
- Segmental innervation
- C5–C8 segmental levels
- In clinical practice
- Vital collateral pathway preserving forearm perfusion during distal brachial artery occlusion
- Region in the model
- Upper limb