BRACHIAL. 



483 



BRACHIAL AKTERY. (Fig. 285.) 



Fig. 285. The Surgical Anatomy of the Brachial 

 Artery. 



The Brachial Artery commences at 

 the lower margin of the tendon of the 

 Teres Major, and passing down the 

 inner and anterior aspect of the arm, 

 terminates about half an inch below 

 the bend of the elbow, where it 

 divides into the radial and ulnar 

 arteries. 



The direction of this vessel is 

 marked by a line drawn from the 

 outer side of the axillary space be- 

 tween the folds of the axilla, to a 

 point midway between the condyles 

 of the humerus, which corresponds to 

 the depression along the inner border 

 of the Coraco-brachialis and Biceps 

 muscles. In the upper part of its 

 course, the artery lies internal to the 

 humerus; but below, it is in front of 

 that bone. 



Relations. This artery is superficial 

 throughout its entire extent, being 

 covered, in front, by the integument, 

 the superficial and deep fascia ; the 

 bicipital fascia separates it opposite 

 the elbow from the median basilic 

 vein ; the median nerve crosses it at 

 its middle; and the basilic vein lies 

 in the line of the artery, but separated 

 from it by the fascia, in the lower half 

 of its course. Behind, it is separated 

 from the inner side of the humerus 

 above, by the long and inner heads 

 of the Triceps, the musculo-spiral 

 nerve and superior profunda artery 

 intervening; and from the front of the 

 bone below, by the insertion of the 

 Coraco-brachialis muscle, and by the 

 Brachialis Antic us. By its outer side, 

 it is in relation with the commence- 

 ment of the median nerve, and the 

 Coraco-brachialis and Biceps muscles, 

 which slightly overlap the artery. By its inner side, its upper half is in relation 

 with the internal cutaneous and ulnar nerves, its lower half with the median 

 nerve. It is accompanied by two venae comites, which lie in close contact with 

 the artery, being connected together at intervals by short transverse communi- 

 cating branches. 



