Profunda Brachii Artery, Posterior View

Description

Posterior to the humerus, the profunda brachii artery (deep artery of arm) leaves the brachial artery proximally and tracks inferolaterally into the radial groove, where it spirals around the posterior shaft in close association with the radial nerve. Distally, the vessel approaches the lateral intermuscular septum and courses toward the lateral epicondylar region, where it participates in the periarticular arterial anastomosis of the elbow. Radius and ulna extend inferiorly from the trochlear and capitellar region, with the radius lateral and the ulna medial in standard anatomical position. Hand bones and the distal arterial tree continue the visual pathway into the wrist and digits. A posterior perspective on the profunda brachii is where you appreciate its relationship to the humeral shaft. This is the artery that complicates midshaft humeral fractures and posterior approaches to the arm, because the vessel and radial nerve share the radial groove and can be injured together, producing hemorrhage with a wrist drop pattern of radial neuropathy. The branching into radial collateral and middle collateral pathways also explains how distal limb perfusion can be maintained when the brachial artery is compromised proximal to the elbow via collateral circulation. Use this plate in upper limb anatomy teaching to anchor the radial groove, lateral intermuscular septum, and elbow anastomoses, or in orthopedic and trauma publications discussing humeral shaft fractures, posterior plating corridors, and neurovascular risk zones. It also fits angiography and vascular surgery education when tracing collateral routes around the elbow from the brachial artery into the radial and ulnar arteries. Anatomical accuracy verified by SciePro's Medical Advisory Board.