Anterior Interosseous Artery, Anterior View

Description

Running deep on the anterior forearm, the anterior interosseous artery arises from the common interosseous branch of the ulnar artery and descends on the anterior surface of the interosseous membrane between the radius and ulna. Proximally, the brachial artery continues into the radial and ulnar arteries in the cubital fossa, with the interosseous trunk coursing distally and centrally while more superficial arterial channels continue toward the palm. A major superficial vein, consistent with the cephalic or basilic vein, tracks longitudinally along the anterior arm and forearm, standing out against the deeper arterial network. The hand is shown supinated, so the palmar side lies anterior and the interosseous course reads as a straight, deep midline descent. For teaching and for surgery, this vessel matters because it is the dominant arterial supply to the deep volar compartment, traveling with the anterior interosseous nerve (median nerve branch) toward pronator quadratus and the distal radioulnar joint. A small artery with outsized consequences. Its relationship to the interosseous membrane helps explain why anterior interosseous syndrome presents as a motor palsy (classically flexor pollicis longus and the radial half of flexor digitorum profundus) without cutaneous sensory loss, and why volar approaches to the radius (Henry approach) demand respect for the radial artery superficially while the interosseous vessels and nerve sit deeper against the membrane. Orthopedic and hand surgery texts commonly need this exact anterior perspective when describing volar plating of radial shaft fractures, exposure of the interosseous membrane, or vascular considerations in compartment syndrome of the deep flexor space. Anatomy and neuroanatomy courses can pair it with forearm compartment diagrams to link vessel course, nerve companions, and clinical deficits. Anatomical accuracy verified by SciePro's Medical Advisory Board.