Anatomy of the Upper Limb Vessels

Arteries of the Upper Limb

• Palmar digital arteries bifurcate to supply adjacent sides of the fingers
• Deep palmar arch is formed largely by the radial artery and lies deep to the long flexor tendons, supplying deeper structures
• Radial artery forms an anastomosis with the superficial palmar arch via its superficial branch in front of the wrist

Veins of the Upper Limb

• Superficial group: dorsal venous arch on the dorsum of the hand, with cephalic and basilic veins arising from its lateral and medial sides, respectively
• Cephalic vein ascends on the radial side of the forearm, crosses the cubital fossa, and enters the axillary vein in the upper aspect of the arm
• Basilic vein ascends on the ulnar side of the forearm, crosses the cubital fossa, and pierces the deep fascia of the arm to join the brachial veins

Arteries and Veins of the Lower Limb

Femoral Vessels

• Femoral artery has medial and lateral circumflex femoral branches that supply the hip joint
• Femoral vein is a continuation of the popliteal vein, lies medial to the artery, and is easily accessible for venous access in shocked patients

Popliteal Vessels

• Popliteal artery is a continuation of the femoral artery, passes through the popliteal fossa, and bifurcates into anterior and posterior tibial arteries
• Popliteal vein is formed by the union of anterior and posterior tibial veins, and is entered by the small saphenous vein through the facial roof of the popliteal fossa

Vessels of the Leg

• Popliteal artery divides into anterior and posterior tibial arteries
• Anterior tibial artery passes over the interosseous membrane into the anterior compartment of the leg to supply the extensor muscles
• Posterior tibial artery continues into the posterior compartment of the leg to supply the flexor muscles

Vessels of the Foot

• Anterior tibial artery becomes superficial at the ankle as the dorsalis pedis artery
• Posterior tibial artery passes behind the medial malleolus and enters the foot, where it divides into lateral and medial plantar arteries

Veins of the Lower Limb

• Three types of veins: superficial, deep, and communicating (perforating)
• Superficial veins (long and short saphenous) drain skin and superficial fascia, and originate in the foot (dorsal and plantar venous arches)
• Deep veins comprise two venae commitantes of deep arteries

Venous Blood Flow of the Lower Limb

• Veins permit blood flow up the limb, or from the superficial to the deep
• Flow towards the heart is aided by the "muscle pump" and the pressure from contracting foot and calf muscles

Clinical Perspectives

• Emergency venous "cutdown" site is just anterior and superior to the medial malleolus
• Long saphenous vein is commonly used in blood vessel grafts to replace parts of blocked coronary arteries
• Defective valves in the superficial veins can cause pooling of stagnant blood in the superficial fascia, leading to skin changes and skin ulceration

This quiz covers the arteries and veins of the upper limb, including their formation, structures, and functions.