Superior ulnar collateral artery
Arteria collateralis ulnaris superior
A branch of the brachial artery in the middle of the arm that runs with the ulnar nerve to the back of the medial epicondyle.
At a glance
- English
- Superior ulnar collateral artery
- Latin (TA2)
- Arteria collateralis ulnaris superior
- System
- Artery
- Region
- Upper limb
- Side
- Paired, left and right
About the superior ulnar collateral artery
The superior ulnar collateral artery leaves the medial side of the brachial artery at about the middle of the arm, a little below the origin of the profunda brachii artery. It is a long, slender vessel whose course is set by the ulnar nerve.
From its origin it runs down with the ulnar nerve. Together they pierce the medial intermuscular septum and pass into the posterior compartment, where they descend on the medial head of triceps. The artery reaches the interval between the medial epicondyle and the olecranon, behind the epicondyle, and there it ends by joining the posterior ulnar recurrent artery, a branch of the ulnar artery that turns up from the forearm. It also communicates with the inferior ulnar collateral artery.
Along its course it supplies the medial head of triceps, the ulnar nerve and the back of the elbow joint. Its anastomoses are part of the arterial network around the elbow, which can carry blood past the joint when the brachial artery is blocked or ligated below the origin of the profunda brachii.
Because the artery travels alongside the ulnar nerve, it is met when the nerve is moved forward in surgery for ulnar nerve compression at the elbow. A flap of skin from the medial arm can also be based on it. The vessel sometimes arises from the profunda brachii artery instead of the brachial artery.
Course and supply
- Arises from
- The medial side of the brachial artery near the middle of the arm, just below the profunda brachii artery; occasionally from the profunda brachii itself.
- Ends in
- Ends behind the medial epicondyle by anastomosing with the posterior ulnar recurrent artery and the inferior ulnar collateral artery.
- Supplies
- Supplies the medial head of triceps, the ulnar nerve and the back of the elbow, and contributes to the elbow anastomosis.
Anthromica
See the superior ulnar collateral 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.
