Surface Marking of Arteries of Upper Limb

Topic Overview

Axillary Artery

• Position: Arm abducted to 90°, palm facing upward.

• Line: A straight line joining

  • Point 1: Midpoint of clavicle.

  • Point 2: Lower limit of lateral wall of axilla (where pulsations are felt).

• Note: Lies deep to pectoralis minor in its middle part.

Brachial Artery

• Line: Join

  • Point 1: Lower border of lateral wall of axilla (beginning of brachial artery).

  • Point 2: Level of neck of radius, medial to tendon of biceps brachii.

• Course: Runs downward and slightly lateral; ends in front of elbow by dividing into radial and ulnar arteries.

Radial Artery

In Forearm:

• Line joining:

  • Point 1: Neck of radius, medial to tendon of biceps.

  • Point 2: At wrist between anterior border of radius (laterally) and tendon of flexor carpi radialis (medially), where pulse is felt.

• Course: Slight lateral convexity.

In Hand:

• Line joining:

  • Point 1: Just below tip of styloid process of radius.

  • Point 2: Proximal end of first intermetacarpal space.

• Course: Oblique, downward and backward through anatomical snuffbox, superficial to lateral wrist ligament.

Ulnar Artery

• Line joining three points:

  • Point 1: Same as radial artery origin (neck of radius, medial to biceps tendon).

  • Point 2: Midpoint of line connecting medial epicondyle and pisiform bone.

  • Point 3: Pisiform bone (where pulsation may be felt).

• Course: Curved with medial convexity; lies beneath flexor carpi ulnaris.

Superficial Palmar Arch

• Line: A curve with convexity towards fingers, starting at distal border of fully extended thumb, extending across palm to lateral border of little finger.

• Lies 1 cm distal to a line across the thenar eminence.

Deep Palmar Arch

• Line joining:

  • Point 1: Proximal part of first dorsal intermetacarpal space.

  • Point 2: Just distal to hook of hamate.

• Level: About 1.2 cm proximal to superficial palmar arch.