214 CIRCULATORY SYSTEM. 



it, the coraco-brachialis, and the short head of the biceps. It 

 then divides into several branches, some of which go to the del- 

 toides, and anastomose there with the posterior circumflex; 

 others go immediately to the articulation, an.d either terminate 

 on it or ascend to the muscles on the dorsum of the scapula, 

 where they anastomose with the scapular arteries. 

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5. The Posterior Circumflex Artery (Art. Circumflexa Poste- 

 rior) is much larger than the last, and arises from the axillary 

 somewhat below it. It surrounds the posterior face of the neck 

 of the os humeri, passing between it and the long head of the 

 triceps muscle, below the insertion of the teres minor. Many 

 of its ramifications go to the capsular ligament of the articula- 

 tion and to the muscles adhering to it. But this artery is prin- 

 cipally intended for the deltoid muscle, to the internal face of 

 which the most of its branches go. It anastomoses with the 

 anterior circumflex, and with the scapular arteries. 



In some cases, the posterior circumflex arises from the axil- 

 lary below, instead of above the tendinous insertion of the latis- 

 simus dorsi: when this happens, it commonly gives off the arte- 

 ria profunda major of the arm, and afterwards ascends on the 

 posterior face of the tendon to it's appropriate destination. 



Of the Branches of the Brachial Artery. 



1. The Profound Artery (Arteria Profunda Major Humeri, 

 Spiralis,) arises from the brachial, a little below the tendinous in- 

 sertion of the latissimus dorsi, and having passed downwards, for 

 a short distance, it enters the interstice between the first and the 

 third head of the triceps muscle, and winds spirally downwards 

 around the o,s humeri in company with the radial nerve. On the 

 outer side of the arm, it becomes superficial between the mar- 

 gins of the triceps and of the brachialis internus, and then directs 

 its course between the latter and the supinator longus to the ex- 

 ternal condyle. 



In this course, the artery sends several branches to the triceps 

 muscle, to which, indeed, it is principally destined. Near the ex- 

 ternal condyle, it supplies the brachialis internus and the heads 



