Common interosseous artery

At a glance

English

Common interosseous artery

Latin (TA2)

Arteria interossea communis

System

Artery

Region

Upper limb

Side

Paired, left and right

About the common interosseous artery

Just below the elbow the brachial artery divides into radial and ulnar arteries. The ulnar artery, the larger of the two, soon gives a short, thick branch that runs backwards towards the bones of the forearm: the common interosseous artery. It arises in the upper forearm a short distance below the origin of the ulnar artery and deep to the muscles that arise from the medial epicondyle.

The trunk passes back towards the upper border of the interosseous membrane, the fibrous sheet that joins the radius and the ulna. There it ends almost at once by dividing into two branches. The anterior interosseous artery runs down on the front of the membrane between flexor digitorum profundus and flexor pollicis longus with the anterior interosseous nerve. The posterior interosseous artery passes backwards above the membrane to reach the extensor compartment.

Through these two branches the common interosseous artery feeds the deep muscles of both compartments of the forearm, the radius and ulna through their nutrient arteries, and the network around the wrist. The posterior branch also sends the recurrent interosseous artery up to the elbow anastomosis.

The short trunk is a useful landmark in forearm surgery and flap planning, because many deep forearm vessels can be traced back to it. In some people a persistent median artery, an embryonic vessel that usually regresses, arises from this region and runs with the median nerve into the hand.

Course and supply

Arises from

The ulnar artery, in the upper forearm a short distance below the division of the brachial artery.

Ends in

Divides at the upper border of the interosseous membrane into the anterior and posterior interosseous arteries.

Supplies

Through its two branches, supplies the deep flexor and extensor muscles of the forearm, the radius and ulna, and contributes to the elbow and wrist anastomoses.