Brachial artery

Arteria brachialis

CardiovascularBlood vesselsArmLeft and right

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What it is

The main artery of the arm: runs down the medial side of the arm in the groove between biceps and triceps with the median nerve, then crosses to the front of the elbow (cubital fossa), dividing about 1 cm below the elbow crease into the radial and ulnar arteries.

Function

Supplies the arm muscles and the humerus (via the profunda brachii) and feeds the forearm and hand.

Size

~6 mm diameter; ~20 cm long.

Clinical note

It is the artery used for measuring blood pressure with a cuff and stethoscope; supracondylar fractures of the humerus in children can compress it.