Common Interosseous Artery, Posterior View

Description

Centered on the proximal forearm, the common interosseous artery (arteria interossea communis) arises from the ulnar artery just distal to the elbow and courses posteriorly for a short segment before bifurcating. From that trunk, the anterior interosseous artery passes deep on the anterior aspect of the interosseous membrane with the anterior interosseous nerve, while the posterior interosseous artery turns through the proximal interosseous membrane to run in the posterior compartment alongside the posterior interosseous nerve. Proximally, the brachial artery in the arm transitions into the radial and ulnar arteries at the cubital fossa, with the ulnar artery positioned more medially and the radial artery laterally. Distally, the radial and ulnar contributions continue toward the superficial and deep palmar arches in the hand. Posterior emphasis on the interosseous bifurcation matters because this short common trunk is a key waypoint between forearm compartments and a frequent source of confusion in dissection and angiographic interpretation. The posterior interosseous artery is exposed during dorsal approaches for posterior interosseous nerve decompression and extensor compartment procedures, where you need to anticipate its course as it emerges through the interosseous membrane and accompanies the nerve in the supinator region. Injury here bleeds briskly and retracts. Surgical anatomy courses, upper-limb dissection labs, and vascular teaching plates for orthopaedic and hand surgery texts benefit from this posterior perspective when mapping collateral flow around the elbow and planning flap options based on interosseous perforators. It also suits radiology and interventional education when correlating forearm angiography with compartmental anatomy from elbow to palm. Anatomical accuracy verified by SciePro's Medical Advisory Board.