286 A MANUAL OF ANA TOMY. 



The Brachial Artery. Figs. 62, 63, 67. 



The brachial artery is the continuation of the axillary 

 from the lower border of the teres major to half an inch 

 below the bend of the elbow, where it divides into the radial 

 and ulnar arteries. 



Relations. On the outside : The coracobrachialis, bi- 

 ceps (which slightly overlaps the artery in front), and the 

 median nerve (at the upper part). 



The inner border of these muscles is the sure guide to 

 the artery. 



The median nerve, though formed at the outside of the 

 artery above, crosses in front (usual) or behind (unusual) 

 the artery to its inside at the elbow. One of the accom- 

 panying veins is to the outside. 



Behind : The brachial rests upon the triceps, tendon of 

 the coracobrachialis and brachialis anticus muscles. It may 

 have the median nerve behind its middle. 



At the inside is the other accompanying vein. These 

 venae comites are joined by frequent cross branches. The 

 basilic vein takes a course upward at the inside of the 

 artery but separated from it by the deep fascia in the lower 

 part of its course. 



The ulnar and internal cutaneous nerves are at some 

 little distance from the upper part of the artery, and in its 

 lower two-thirds have no direct relation to it. 



In front : The brachial is covered by the integument, 

 two layers of fascia, and the inner border of the biceps 

 muscle. The median nerve is in close relation to the artery 

 and crosses its front about the middle (usual). At the 

 elbow the brachial has the median basilic vein in front of it, 

 and separated from it by the bicipital fascia. It lies be- 

 tween the tendon of the biceps at the outside and the 

 median nerve at the inside. 



