Posterior interosseous artery
Arteria interossea posterior
The artery of the back of the forearm, running between the superficial and deep extensor muscles from the elbow to the wrist.
At a glance
- English
- Posterior interosseous artery
- Latin (TA2)
- Arteria interossea posterior
- System
- Artery
- Region
- Upper limb
- Side
- Paired, left and right
About the posterior interosseous artery
The posterior interosseous artery is one of the two branches of the common interosseous artery, which arises from the ulnar artery in the upper forearm. While its partner, the anterior interosseous artery, stays on the front of the interosseous membrane, the posterior branch passes backwards between the radius and ulna above the upper border of the membrane, reaching the back of the forearm.
It appears in the extensor compartment between supinator and abductor pollicis longus, then runs down between the superficial and the deep layers of extensor muscles. Here it is joined by the posterior interosseous nerve, the deep branch of the radial nerve, and the two travel together down the back of the forearm. In the lower forearm the artery becomes small; it is joined there by the anterior interosseous artery, which has pierced the membrane, and it ends in the dorsal carpal anastomosis at the back of the wrist.
Near its origin it gives the recurrent interosseous artery, which climbs to the back of the elbow. Along its course it supplies the muscles of the extensor compartment, both superficial and deep, and the overlying skin through small perforating branches.
Those skin branches make it the basis of the posterior interosseous flap, a reversed-flow island of skin from the back of the forearm that is used to cover defects on the back of the hand and the first web. Because it lies with the posterior interosseous nerve, care is taken near supinator, where the nerve is at risk during approaches to the radial head and neck.
Course and supply
- Arises from
- The common interosseous artery, a branch of the ulnar artery in the upper forearm.
- Ends in
- Ends in the dorsal carpal anastomosis, after being joined in the lower forearm by the anterior interosseous artery.
- Supplies
- Supplies the superficial and deep extensor muscles of the forearm and the overlying skin, and gives the recurrent interosseous artery to the elbow.
Anthromica
See the posterior interosseous artery where it really sits, with every layer of the body around it.
- Every layer, one body. Peel from muscle to bone, nerve, vessel and organ, and turn it any way.
- English and Latin. Every structure named the way your exam names it.
- Quiz until it sticks. Short drills on the structures you keep missing.
Free to start. No card.
