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# Deep brachial artery

The deep brachial artery is a branch of the brachial artery that winds around the humerus with the radial nerve; it feeds the triceps.

Official name: Deep brachial (profunda brachii) artery

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## What it is

A branch that runs with the radial nerve around the back of the humerus.

## What it does

Feeds the triceps and the back of the arm.

## Key points

- Runs with the radial nerve through the triangular interval (below teres major, between the long head of the triceps and the humerus) and then in the radial groove
- Fractures of the middle of the humeral shaft can injure it together with the radial nerve
- Its collateral branches feed the elbow anastomosis, which is why ligating the brachial artery below its origin is usually tolerated

## Key facts

**Origin**
Brachial artery, high in the arm

**Branches**
Middle and radial collateral arteries

**Supplies**
Triceps and back of the arm; runs with the radial nerve in its groove

## Relations

**Course**
From the posteromedial side of the [brachial artery](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/brachial-artery/) just below [teres major](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/teres-major/) it passes backward with the [radial nerve](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/radial-nerve/), spirals around the back of the [humerus](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/humerus/) between the lateral and medial heads of the triceps and divides into the middle and radial collateral arteries

**Deep**
The radial groove on the back of the humerus

**Superficial**
Lateral head of the triceps covering the groove; the long head where the vessel enters

**Lateral**
Its radial collateral branch pierces the lateral intermuscular septum with the radial nerve and runs in front of the lateral epicondyle to meet the radial recurrent artery

## How to find it

Not palpable. It is met in the posterior approach to the humerus, crossing the back of the shaft with the radial nerve between the heads of the triceps; surgeons find and protect the two as one bundle.

## On imaging

Usually seen only on CT or catheter angiography, leaving the back of the upper brachial artery and winding behind the humerus in the radial groove with the radial nerve. A humeral shaft fracture on the radiograph points to this neurovascular bundle. On ultrasound the artery helps find the radial nerve in the groove.

## Clinical notes

- Posterior and lateral approaches to the humerus: the radial nerve and this artery cross the shaft together and are protected as one bundle
- Its posterior radial collateral branch supplies the lateral arm flap, a fasciocutaneous flap used in hand and limb reconstruction
- Its ascending (deltoid) branch joins the posterior circumflex humeral artery, a collateral link between shoulder and arm

## Anatomical variants

- Its origin varies: it may come from the [axillary artery](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/axillary-artery/), share a trunk with the superior ulnar collateral or the posterior circumflex humeral artery, or be doubled

## Related conditions

- [Humeral shaft fracture](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/humeral-shaft-fracture/)

## Test yourself

Think of the answer, then tap the question to see it.

## With which nerve does the deep brachial artery run, and through which space?

The radial nerve, through the triangular interval (below teres major, between the long head of triceps and the humerus), then in the radial groove.

## Which fracture can injure the deep brachial artery together with the radial nerve?

A fracture of the middle of the humeral shaft, where both cross the bone together.

## Which flap is supplied by a branch of the deep brachial artery?

The lateral arm flap, on its posterior radial collateral branch.

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Educational information, not medical advice. For any symptom, see a health professional.

## Its names

**Official Latin (TA2)**
arteria profunda brachii TA2 4634

**Official Spanish (DeCS)**
Arteria profunda del brazo

**English (TA2)**
Deep brachial (profunda brachii) artery

**Also called**
profunda brachii artery

## Related

- [Radial nerve](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/radial-nerve/)
- [Triceps (long head)](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/triceps-brachii-long-head/)
- [Triceps (lateral head)](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/triceps-brachii-lateral-head/)
- [Triceps (medial head)](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/triceps-brachii-medial-head/)
- [Humerus](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/humerus/)

Sources: Terminologia Anatomica (TA2); [Anatomy, Shoulder and Upper Limb, Profunda Brachii Artery](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK542225/).

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