Profunda Brachii Artery, Posterior View

Description

Originating from the posteromedial aspect of the brachial artery near the proximal humerus, the profunda brachii artery courses posteriorly with the radial nerve into the radial (spiral) groove. From that groove it tracks obliquely inferior and lateral, giving muscular branches to the triceps brachii and contributing to the periosteal supply of the humeral shaft. Distally, the brachial artery continues toward the cubital fossa and divides into the radial artery laterally and the ulnar artery medially, with arterial channels extending into the palmar arterial network via the superficial and deep palmar arches. Red color coding keeps the arterial tree dominant against the posterior arm and forearm anatomy. Posterior orientation matters here because the profunda brachii and radial nerve share a tight corridor on the posterior humerus, and that relationship explains classic findings in midshaft humeral fractures. Weak wrist and finger extension with dorsal hand paresthesia can track to radial nerve injury, while compromised flow through the profunda brachii can affect collateral perfusion around the elbow, where the radial collateral and middle collateral arteries anastomose with the recurrent vessels. A surgical exposure through the posterior arm or a lateral approach to the humerus benefits from a clear mental map of where this artery crosses relative to the triceps heads and the lateral intermuscular septum. Landmarks matter. Use this plate for gross anatomy teaching on upper limb vascular anatomy, for orthopaedic and trauma publications discussing humeral shaft fixation, and for clinical education on elbow collateral circulation and radial nerve palsy patterns. It also supports procedural diagrams that trace proximal-to-distal arterial continuity from axillary and brachial segments into the forearm and hand. Anatomical accuracy verified by SciePro's Medical Advisory Board.