ilC, 



ARTERIES OF THE UPPER LIMB. 



The anterior radial carpal is a small branch which arises from the 

 radial artery, near tlie lower border of the pronator qnadratus, and runs 

 inwards in front of the radius. It anastomoses with the anterior ulnar 

 carpal artery, so as to form an arch above and in front of the radio- 

 •carpal articulation, from Avhich branches descend to supply tlic joints at 

 the wrist. 



The superficial volar (ramus superficialis volaj), arising from the 

 radial artery, near the place where it leaves the front of the fore-arm, 

 passes onwards into the hand. In size it is variable ; in most instances 

 it is very small, and ends in the muscles of the thumb ; but in others 

 it attains considerable size, and crossing- tliose muscles, terminates by 

 inosculating with the radial extremity of the superficial palmar arch, 

 which it thus completes. 



Several unnamed muscular branches are given by this part of the 

 artery to tlie muscles on the fore part of the arm. 



B. The branches which arise from the radial artery behind the 

 wrist are, the posterior carpal, the metacarpal, the dorsal arteries of the 

 thumb, and the dorsal artery of the index finger. 



FifT. 272 



Fig. 272. — Deep View of the Arteries of the 

 Wrist and Hand, from before (from K. 

 (iuaiu). I 



The anterior annular ligament of tlie carpus has 

 heen divided and the lower parts of the common 

 ilexors and flexor of the thumb have been removed ; 

 portions of these tendons are represented as turned 

 down upon the fingers with parts of the lumbricalcs 

 muscles ; the superficial palmar artery is removed, 

 :ind the intcrossei muscles are exposed, a, ulnar 

 iierve ; h, tendon of the flexor carpi ulnaris muscle ; 

 <•, tendon of the flexor carpi radialis ; d, inserted 

 tendon of the extensor ossis metacarpi pollicis ; 

 ] , radial artery ; 1', its lower part giving oflf the 

 anterior carpal and superficial volar branches ; 2, 

 ulnar artery ; 3, anterior interosseous artery lieforc 

 passing behind the pronator quadratus muscle ; 4, 

 radial artery, appearing deeply in the palm between 

 the first and second metacarpal bones and passing 

 into the deep jialinar arch ; 5, deep branch of the 

 ulnar artery dipping between the abductor and 

 flexor brevis minimi digiti to join the deep arch 

 and accompanied by the deei> branch of the ulnar 

 nerve ; 6, a palmar digital artery, risin^' from the 

 first part of the superficial palmar arch ; 7, the 

 jirinceps pollicis, and 8, the radialis indicis arteries 

 rising from the radial artery ; 9, 9, 9, interosseous 

 iiianches of the deep palmar arch proceeding down 

 oil the interosseous muscles to join the jialmar 

 digital arteries from the superficial arch. 



(a) The posterior radial carpal is a 



small but constant branch. It arises 

 beneath the extensor tendons of the thumb, 

 and running inwards on the back of the carpus anastomoses with the 

 posterior ulnar carpal branch, completing the arch from which spring the 

 dorsal interosseous arteries of the third and fourth spaces. It anasto- 

 moses, also, with the terminal brancli of the anterior interosseous of the 

 fore-arm. 



