Ulnar artery. Big medical encyclopedia. Branches of the ulnar artery

Ulnar artery, a. ulnaris. Branches of the ulnar artery

Ulnar artery, a. ulnaris, represents one of the two terminal branches (larger) of the brachial artery. From the starting point to cubital fossa(against the neck of the radius) it fits under m. pronator teres, goes obliquely to the middle third of the forearm, deviating to the ulnar side. In the lower two-thirds it runs parallel to the ulna, first in the space between m. flexor digitorum superficialis, etc. flexor carpi ulnaris, in the lower third, due to the transition of muscles into tendons, its position becomes more superficial (sulcus ulnaris). At the radial side of the pisiform bone, the ulnar artery passes into the canalis carpi ulnaris (spatium interaponeuroticum) and, passing to the palm, is part of the arcus palmaris superficialis.

Branches of the ulnar artery:

1. A. recurrens ulnaris, recurrent ulnar artery, gives two branches - rami anterior et posterior, which pass in front and behind the medial epicondyle, anastomosing with ah. collaterals ulnares superior et inferior. Thanks to these anastomoses, as well as the above anastomoses between the branches of a. profunda brachii and a. radialis in the circumference of the elbow joint, an arterial network is obtained - rete articulare cubiti.

2. A. interossea communis, common interosseous artery, goes to the interosseous membrane, at the proximal edge of which is divided into two branches: a) a. interossea anterior along the anterior surface of the interosseous membrane reaches m. pronator quadratus, pierces the membrane and goes to the rear, where it ends in rete carpi dorsale. At the beginning of my journey a. interossea anterior gives a. mediana (directed to the palm together with p. medianus), ah. diaphyseos radii et ulnae- to the bones of the forearm and rami musculares - to the surrounding muscles; b) a. interossea posterior passes through the upper opening of the interosseous membrane to the back side, gives off a. interossea recurrences, lies between the superficial and deep layers of the extensors and in the wrist area anastomoses with a. interossea anterior.

3. Ramus carpeus palmaris, palmar carpal branch, goes towards the branch of the same name of the radial artery, with which it anastomoses.

4. Ramus carpeus dorsalis, dorsal carpal branch, departs near the pisiform bone, goes under m. flexor carpi ulnaris on the back side towards the branch of the same name a. radialis.

5. Ramus palmaris profundus, deep palmar branch, penetrates under the tendons and nerves of the palm and together with a. radialis (see above) is involved in the formation of a deep palmar arch.

Educational video of the anatomy of the branches of the radial and ulnar arteries of the forearm

Ulnar artery, a. ulnaris, is like a continuation of the brachial artery and departs from it in the ulnar fossa at the level of the coronoid process of the ulna. Having described a gentle arc, it goes down to the medial (ulnar) edge of the forearm and is located between the superficial and deep layers of the muscles of the palmar surface of the forearm. Approximately in the middle of the forearm, the ulnar artery lies in the groove between the superficial flexor digitorum and flexor carpi ulnaris and follows it to the distal forearm, where it passes to the hand. On its way, the ulnar artery gives off a number of branches that supply blood to the muscles of the forearm. In the area of ​​the wrist joint, it is located lateral to the pisiform bone, on the flexor retinaculum, being covered by the palmaris brevis muscle. On the palmar surface of the hand, the ulnar artery turns towards the radial edge and connects with r. palmaris superficialis from a. radialis, forming the superficial palmar arch, arcus palmaris superficialis, located under the palmar aponeurosis.

Throughout its entire length, the ulnar artery is accompanied by two ulnar veins, vv. ulnares.

The following branches begin from the ulnar artery.

1. Ulnar recurrent artery, a. recurrens ulnaris, originates from the medial surface of the initial section of the ulnar artery and is divided into anterior and posterior branches:

a) anterior branch, r. anterior, going upward and medially, passes on the brachialis muscle under the pronator teres and, rising upward, anastomoses with a. collateralis ulnaris inferior from a. brachialis, giving off branches to the heads of the flexor muscles starting from the medial epicondyle;

b) posterior branch, r. posterior, goes backward and upward, goes under the superficial flexor of the digitorum and approaches the ulnar nerve. Following upward along the course of the ulnar nerve, it anastomoses with a. collateralis ulnaris superior; its branches participate in the formation of the elbow articular network.

2. Common interosseous artery, a. interossea communis, begins at the level of the tuberosity of the radius. Sometimes, instead of one artery, there are several small branches. Heading towards the distal end of the forearm, the common interosseous artery, almost at the very beginning of its path, is divided into two branches - anterior and posterior:

a) anterior interosseous artery, a. inierossea anterior, goes down the anterior surface of the membrana interossea, located between the deep flexor of the fingers and the long flexor of the thumb. At the upper edge of the pronator quadratus or somewhat distal, the artery pierces the membrana interossea and, emerging on its dorsal surface, takes part in the formation of the dorsal network of the wrist. The artery accompanying the median nerve departs from the anterior interosseous artery, a. comitans n. mediani;

b) posterior interosseous artery, a. interossea posterior, moving away from the common interosseous artery, immediately pierces the membrana interossea and emerges on its dorsal surface distal to the instep support. Here the artery runs between the deep and superficial muscles of the dorsum of the forearm and is accompanied by the posterior interosseous nerve of the forearm, n. interosseus antebrachii posterior, follows to the distal end of the forearm, where it participates in the formation of the dorsal network of the wrist.

From the posterior interosseous artery, in the place where it enters the back of the forearm, the recurrent interosseous artery, a. interossea recurrens, goes up under the elbow muscle, anastomosing with a. collateralis media; takes part in the formation of the elbow articular network.

3. Palmar carpal branch, r. carpalis palmaris, begins at the level of the head of the ulna or slightly higher, goes down and radially and anastomoses with the branch of the radial artery of the same name.

4. Dorsal carpal branch, r. carpalis dorsalis, begins at the same level with the palmar carpal branch and, passing under the tendon of the flexor carpi ulnaris, goes to the back of the hand, where it anastomoses with the dorsal carpal branch of the radial artery, taking part in the formation of the dorsal network of the wrist.

5. Deep palmar branch, r. palmaris profundus, arises from the ulnar artery at the level of the pisiform bone or slightly distal to it, passes between the short flexor of the little finger and the abductor of the little finger muscle, under the flexor tendons of the fingers. Here it connects with the terminal branch of the radial artery, forming a deep palmar arch.
The superficial and deep arterial arches lie on the palmar surface of the hand.

1. The superficial palmar arch, arcus palmaris superficialis, is formed mainly by the ulnar artery, which, having passed onto the palmar surface of the hand, goes under the palmar aponeurosis to the tendons of the flexor muscles of the fingers. Directing towards the radial edge of the hand, it forms an arc, convex in the distal direction. Having reached the area of ​​the eminence of the thumb, the ulnar artery thins and connects with the end r. palmaris superficialis from a. radialis.

The common palmar digital arteries, aa, depart from the superficial palmar arch. digitales palmares communes, just three. They follow in a distal direction to the interdigital spaces. Each of the arteries at the level of the heads of the metacarpal bones receives the palmar metacarpal arteries, aa. metacarpales palmares, from the deep palmar arch and is divided into two own palmar digital arteries, aa. digitales palmares propriae.

Adjacent proper palmar digital arteries follow along the surfaces of the II - V fingers facing one another.
From the ulnar artery on the hand, in the place where it bends towards the radial edge of the hand, the artery extends to the ulnar surface of the little finger.

In the area of ​​the fingers aa. digitales palmares propriae give branches to the palmar surface of the fingers, as well as to the dorsum of the middle and distal phalanges.

The proper palmar digital arteries of each finger widely anastomose with each other, especially in the area of ​​the distal phalanges.

2. The deep palmar arch, arcus palmaris profundus, is located deeper and proximal to the superficial one. It lies at the level of the bases of the II - V metacarpal bones under the tendons of the superficial and deep flexor fingers, between the beginning of the adductor pollicis muscle and the short flexor pollicis muscle.

The radial artery takes part mainly in the formation of the deep palmar arch. Coming from the first intermetacarpal space onto the palmar surface of the hand, it is directed towards the ulnar edge of the hand and connects with the deep palmar branch from a. ulnaris.

The palmar metacarpal arteries, aa, depart from the deep palmar arch. metacarpales palmares, three in total. They follow in a direction distal from the arch and are located in the second, third and fourth interosseous metacarpal spaces along the palmar surface of the interosseous muscles. Here, one perforating branch, r, departs from each artery. perforans. The latter penetrate through the corresponding interosseous spaces and exit onto the dorsum of the hand, where they anastomose with the dorsal metacarpal arteries, aa. metacarpales dorsales.

Each palmar metacarpal artery, following in the interosseous space, bends at the level of the heads of the metacarpal bones towards the palmar surface and flows into the corresponding common palmar digital artery, a. digitalis palmaris communis.

Arterial networks. From the arteries of the upper limb: subclavian, axillary, brachial, radial and ulnar - a number of branches depart, which, anastomosing among themselves, form arterial networks, retia arteriosa, especially well developed in the area of ​​​​the joints

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In the circumference of the shoulder joint there is an acromial network, rete acromiale. It lies in the area of ​​the acromion and is formed through anastomotic branches between the thoracoacromial artery (a branch of the axillary artery) and the suprascapular artery (a branch of the subclavian artery). In addition, in the circumference of the proximal humerus there is an anastomotic connection between the anterior and posterior arteries that flex the humerus (branches of the axillary artery).

In the circumference of the elbow joint, two networks are distinguished: the network of the elbow joint and the network of the olecranon, which are combined into one common ulnar articular network, rete articulare cubiti. Both networks are formed by the anastomotic branches of the superior and inferior ulnar collateral arteries (branches of the brachial artery), the middle and radial collateral arteries (branches of the deep brachial artery) on the one hand, and on the other by the branches of the radial recurrent artery (branch of the radial artery), ulnar recurrent artery ( branch of the ulnar artery) and the recurrent interosseous artery (branch of the posterior interosseous artery). The stems of this highly developed anastomotic network supply blood to the bones, joints, muscles and skin of the elbow area.

On the palmar surface of the ligamentous apparatus of the wrist there are anastomoses of the palmar carpal branches, the radial and ulnar arteries, as well as branches from the deep palmar arch and the anterior interosseous artery.

On the dorsal surface of the hand, in the area of ​​the extensor retinaculum, lies the dorsal network of the wrist, rete carpale dorsale.

The dorsal carpal network is divided into the superficial dorsal carpal network, which lies under the skin, and the deep dorsal carpal network, located on the bones and ligaments of the wrist joints.

The dorsal carpal branches, rr, take part in the formation of the dorsal network of the wrist. carpales dorsales, radial and ulnar arteries, as well as the anterior and posterior interosseous arteries.

Three dorsal metacarpal arteries, aa, depart from the deep dorsal network of the wrist. metacarpales dorsales, which follow distally along the second, third and fourth interosseous metacarpal spaces. At the heads of the metacarpal bones, each dorsal metacarpal artery divides into two dorsal digital arteries, aa. digitales dorsales. They run along the lateral surfaces of adjacent fingers facing one another and branch within the proximal phalanges.

Brachial artery(a. brachialis) is a continuation of the axillary artery and gives off the following branches:

1) superior ulnar collateral artery (a. collateralis ulnaris superior);

2) inferior ulnar collateral artery (a. collateralis ulnaris inferior);

3) deep brachial artery (a. profunda brachii), giving the following branches: middle collateral artery (a. col­ lateralis media), radial collateral artery (a. collateralis radialis), deltoid branch (r. deltoidei) and arteries supplying the humerus (ah,nutriciae humeri). Radial artery (a. radialis) is one of the two terminal branches of the brachial artery. The terminal section of this artery forms a deep palmar arch (arcus palmaris profundus), anastomosing with the deep palmar branch of the ulnar artery.

Branches of the radial artery:

1) superficial palmar branch (r. palmaris superficialis);

2) radial recurrent artery (a. reccurens radialis);

3) dorsal carpal branch (r. carpalis dorsalis); participates in the formation of the dorsal network of the wrist (rete carpale dorsale);

4) palmar carpal branch (r. carpalis palmaris).

Ulnar artery(a. ulnaris) is the second terminal branch of the brachial artery. The terminal section of this artery forms the superficial palmar arch (arcus palmaris supreficialis), anastomosing with the superficial palmar branch of the radial artery. Branches of the ulnar artery:

1) ulnar recurrent artery (a. reccurens ulnaris), dividing into anterior and posterior branches;

2) muscle branches (rr. musculares);

3) common interosseous artery (a. interuossea communis), dividing into anterior and posterior interosseous arteries;

4) deep palmar branch (r. palmaris profundus);

5) palmar carpal branch (r. carpalis palmaris).

In the system of the subclavian, axillary, brachial, ulnar and radial arteries there are many anastomoses, which provide blood supply to the joints and collateral blood flow.

The branches of the thoracic aorta are divided into visceral and parietal.

Visceral branches:

1) pericardial branches (rr. pericardiaci);

2) esophageal branches (rr. oesophageales);

3) mediastinal branches (rr. mediastinals);

4) bronchial branches (rr. bronchiales).

Parietal branches:

1) superior phrenic artery (a. phrenica superior);

2) posterior intercostal arteries (ah.intercostales posterio- res), each of which gives off a medial cutaneous branch (r. cutaneus medialis), lateral cutaneous branch (r. cutaneus lateralis) and dorsal branch (r. dorsalis).

9. Branches of the abdominal aorta

The branches of the abdominal aorta are divided into visceral and parietal.

Visceral branches in turn, are divided into paired and unpaired.

Paired visceral branches:

1) ovarian (testicular) artery (a. ovarica (a testicularis). The ovarian artery gives tubal (rr. tubarii) and ureteric branches (rr. ureterici), and the testicular artery - epididymal (rr. epididymales) and ureteral branches (rr. ureterici);

2) renal artery (a. renalis); gives off ureteral branches (rr. ureterici) and inferior adrenal artery (a. suprarenalis inferior);

3) middle adrenal artery (a. suprarenalis media); anastomoses with the superior and inferior adrenal arteries.

Unpaired visceral branches:

1) celiac trunk (truncus coeliacus). Divided into three arteries:

a) splenic artery (a. lienalis), gives branches to the pancreas (rr. pancreatici), short gastric arteries (ah.gastricae breves) and left gastroepiploic artery (a. gastroepiploica sinistra), giving omental and gastric branches;

b) common hepatic artery (a. hepatica communis); divides into the proper hepatic artery (a. hepati­ ca propria) and gastroduodenal artery (a. gastroduo- denalis). The proper hepatic artery gives off to the right gastric artery (a. gastrica dextra), right and left branches, the gallbladder artery arises from the right branch (a. cystica). The gastroduodenal artery divides into the superior pancreaticoduodenal arteries (ah.pancreaticoduo­ denals superiores) and right gastroepiploic artery (a. gastroepiploica).

c) left gastric artery (a. gastrica sinistra), gives off esophageal branches (rr. oesophagealis);

2) superior mesenteric artery (a. mesenterica superior). Gives the following branches:

a) right colon artery (a. colica dextra); anastomoses with the branches of the middle colic artery, a branch of the ileocolic artery;

b) middle colon artery (a. colica media); anastomoses with the right and left colon arteries;

c) ileocolic artery (a. ileocolica); gives rise to the appendix artery (a. appendicularis), colonic branch (G.colicus), anterior and posterior sectal arteries (ah.caecalis anterior etposterior);

d) inferior pancreaticoduodenal arteries (ah.pancrea­ ticoduodenals inferiors);

d) ileointestinal (ah.ileales) and jejunal arteries (ah.jejunales);

3) inferior mesenteric artery (a. mesenterica inferior). Gives the following branches:

a) sigmoid arteries (ah.sigmoidei);

b) left colon artery (a. colica sinistra);

c) superior rectal artery (a. rectalis supe­ rior).

Parietal branches:

1) four pairs of lumbar arteries (ah.lumbales), each of which gives off dorsal and spinal branches;

2) inferior phrenic artery (a. phrenica inferior), giving rise to the superior adrenal arteries (ah.suprarenales superiores).

At the level of the middle of the body of the IV lumbar vertebra, the abdominal part of the aorta is divided into two common iliac arteries, and itself continues into the median sacral artery (a. sacralis mediana).

Ulnar artery, a. ulnaris, in caliber is like a continuation of the brachial artery and begins from it in the ulnar fossa at the level of the coronoid process of the ulna. Describing a gentle arc, it goes down to the medial (ulnar) edge of the forearm and is located between the superficial and deep layers of the muscles of the palmar surface of the forearm. Approximately in the middle of the forearm, the ulnar artery lies in the ulnar groove between the flexor digitorum superficialis muscle and the flexor carpi ulnaris muscle and follows it to the distal forearm, where it passes to the hand. In the area of ​​the wrist joint, it is located lateral to the pisiform bone on the retinaculum flexorum, being covered by the palmar carpal ligament. On the palmar surface of the hand, the ulnar artery turns towards the radial edge, connects with the palmaris superficialis from a. radialis, forming the superficial palmar arch, arcus palmaris superficialis, located under the palmar aponeurosis. The ulnar artery is accompanied along its entire length by two ulnar veins, vv. ulnares.

The following branches begin from the ulnar artery:

1. Ulnar recurrent artery, a. recurrens ulnaris, arises from the medial surface of the initial section of the ulnar artery and is divided into anterior and posterior branches.

a) The anterior branch, g. anterior, heading upward and medially, lies on the brachial muscle under the pronator teres muscle and, rising along the sulcus cubitalis medialis, anastomoses with a. collateralis ulnaris inferior from a. brachialis, giving off branches to the heads of the flexor muscles starting from the medial epicondyle.

b) The posterior branch, g. posterior, goes back and upward, lies under the muscle - the superficial flexor of the fingers and approaches the ulnar nerve. Following upward along the course of the ulnar nerve, the posterior branch anastomoses into the sulcus cubitalis posterior medialis c a. collateralis ulnaris superior and with its branches participates in the formation of the articular network of the elbow, rete articulare cubiti.

2. Common interosseous artery, a. interossea communis, begins at the level of the tuberosity of the radius. Sometimes, instead of one artery, there may be several small branches. Heading towards the distal end of the forearm, the common interosseous artery, almost at the very beginning of its path, divides into two branches: anterior and posterior.

a) Anterior interosseous artery, a. interossea anterior, goes down the anterior surface of the membrana interossea, located between the muscle - the deep flexor of the fingers and the muscle - the long flexor of the thumb. At the upper edge of the pronator quadratus muscle or somewhat distally, the artery pierces the raembrana interossea and, emerging on its dorsal surface, takes part in the formation of the dorsal network of the wrist, rete carpi dorsale. From the anterior interosseous artery depart: muscular branches to the muscles of the palmar surface; nutrient arteries, aa.. nutriciae, to the radius and ulna bones; median artery, a. mediana, which accompanies the median nerve, n. medianus.

b) Posterior interosseous artery, a. interossea posterior, moving away from the common interosseous artery, immediately pierces the membrana interossea and emerges on its dorsal surface immediately distal to the supinator muscle. Here the artery lies between the deep and superficial muscles of the dorsum of the forearm and is accompanied by the posterior interosseous nerve of the forearm, n. interos-seus antebrachii posterior, follows to the distal end of the forearm, where it participates in the formation of the dorsal network of the wrist, rete carpi dorsale. From the posterior interosseous artery depart: muscular branches to the muscles of the dorsal surface of the forearm; recurrent interosseous artery, a. interossea recurrens, departs from the posterior interosseous artery in the place where it exits onto the back of the forearm, goes up the sulcus cubitalis posterior lateralis under m. anconeus and, anastomosing with a. collateralis media, takes part in the formation of the vascular network of the cubiti, rete articulare cubiti.

3. Muscular branches extend along the entire length from the ulnar artery to the muscles of the forearm.
4. The palmar carpal branch, carpeus palmaris, begins at the level of the head of the ulna or slightly higher, goes down and radially and anastomoses with the branch of the radial artery of the same name.
5. The dorsal carpal branch, carpeus dorsalis, begins at the same level as the previous one and, passing under the tendon of the flexor carpi ulnaris muscle, is directed to the back of the hand, where it takes part in the formation of the dorsal network of the wrist, rete carpi dorsale.
6. The deep palmar branch, palmaris profundus, departs from the ulnar artery at the level of the pisiform bone or slightly distal to it and is directed between the short flexor of the little finger muscle and the abductor of the little finger muscle, under the tendons of the flexor fingers. Here it connects with the terminal branch of the radial artery, forming a deep palmar arch, arcus palmaris profundus.