Profunda Brachii Artery, Posterior View

Description

Running posteriorly from the axillary continuation into the brachium, the profunda brachii artery (deep artery of arm) is shown leaving the brachial artery proximally and coursing toward the radial groove on the posterior humeral shaft. Along the midshaft it tracks laterally and inferiorly in a spiral relationship to the humerus, deep to the triceps brachii, where it typically accompanies the radial nerve. Proximal landmarks include the scapula and posterior thoracic cage, while distal relationships are oriented toward the lateral elbow where the vessel divides into the radial collateral and middle collateral arteries around the lateral epicondyle. Posterior visualization of the profunda brachii matters because it maps the principal arterial supply to the triceps compartment and explains why midshaft humeral fractures and posterior approaches to the humerus can threaten both hemorrhage and radial nerve palsy in the same corridor. The radial groove is the key. This view also supports teaching of collateral circulation about the elbow, where profunda brachii branches anastomose with recurrent radial and interosseous vessels, a practical point when proximal brachial artery flow is compromised or during tourniquet use. In operative anatomy teaching, the illustration suits orthopedic discussions of posterior humeral exposure, plating strategies, and safe zones relative to the radial nerve and profunda brachii artery, and it also supports vascular anatomy modules covering the brachial artery system and collateral pathways. Medical publishers can pair it with trauma chapters on humeral shaft fractures, compartment surgery of the posterior arm, or angiographic correlation of profunda brachii injury. Anatomical accuracy verified by SciePro's Medical Advisory Board.