Arteriovenous Grafts: Stenosis, Thrombosis and Aneurysms

Abstract

The arterial supply of the upper extremity begins at the aortic arch; the right subclavian artery originates from the innominate (brachiocephalic) artery, while the left subclavian artery originates directly from the aortic arch. After crossing the first rib, the subclavian becomes the axillary artery; after crossing the lower border of the teres major, it becomes the brachial artery. In the antecubital fossa, the brachial artery bifurcates into the radial and ulnar arteries. The radial artery courses laterally in the forearm and then posterior at the wrist to the anatomical snuffbox where it forms the major branches of the deep palmar arch and communicates with the deep branches of the ulnar artery. The ulnar artery courses medially in the forearm to the wrist, where it forms the major branches of the superficial palmar arch and communicates with the superficial branches of the radial artery.