Interosseous arteries !

The interosseous arteries run along the membrane between the radius and ulna; they feed the deep muscles of the forearm.

Official name: Interosseous arteries of the forearm

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What it is

Branches of the ulnar artery on both sides of the interosseous membrane.

What it does

Feed the deep forearm muscles.

Key facts

Origin: Common interosseous from the ulnar artery
Branches: Anterior and posterior interosseous, recurrent interosseous
Supplies: Deep flexors and extensors of the forearm, radius and ulna

Relations

Course: Short common trunk; the anterior artery descends on the membrane to pronator quadratus; the posterior artery passes above the membrane, between it and the oblique cord, to the back of the forearm and gives the recurrent interosseous artery up to the elbow
In front: Over the anterior artery: flexor digitorum profundus (FDP) and flexor pollicis longus (FPL), with the anterior interosseous nerve beside it
Behind: Around the posterior artery: the superficial extensors (extensor digitorum, ECU) behind it and the deep group (APL, EPB, EPL, extensor indicis) in front of it
Deep: The interosseous membrane, between the two arteries

How to find it

Not palpable. The common trunk leaves the ulnar artery just below the radial tuberosity. The anterior artery lies on the front of the interosseous membrane with its nerve; the posterior artery appears between supinator and abductor pollicis longus and runs between the superficial and deep extensors along a line from the lateral epicondyle to the distal radioulnar joint, the axis of its flap.

On imaging

Not imaged on their own in routine practice. On ultrasound or angiography the common interosseous artery leaves the ulnar artery just below the elbow and divides into anterior and posterior branches on either side of the interosseous membrane; the anterior one runs with the anterior interosseous nerve. Angiography shows them carrying collateral flow when the radial or ulnar artery is blocked.

Clinical notes

In forearm compartment syndrome and Volkmann contracture, the deep flexors fed by the anterior artery (FDP and FPL) are the most affected
Reverse posterior interosseous artery flap: skin from the back of the forearm turned down on this artery to cover defects on the back of the hand
Their end branches join the dorsal carpal network, a collateral route to the wrist when the radial or ulnar artery is blocked

Anatomical variants

Persistent median artery: a branch of the anterior interosseous artery that runs with the median nerve and sometimes reaches the palm through the carpal tunnel

Development

The anterior interosseous artery is a remnant of the embryonic axis artery of the forearm; the median artery that arises from it normally regresses before birth.

Test yourself

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

Where does the common interosseous artery arise, and how does it divide?

From the ulnar artery just below the radial tuberosity; it splits into anterior and posterior interosseous arteries at the upper border of the interosseous membrane.

Which nerve accompanies each interosseous artery?

The anterior interosseous artery runs with the anterior interosseous nerve; the posterior with the posterior interosseous nerve.

Which muscles fed by the anterior interosseous artery are most affected in forearm compartment syndrome?

The deep flexors: flexor digitorum profundus and flexor pollicis longus.

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

Its names

Official Latin (TA2): arteria interossea communis TA2 4661
Official Spanish (DeCS): Arterias interóseas común, anterior, posterior y recurrente
English (TA2): Interosseous arteries of the forearm

Sources: Terminologia Anatomica (TA2); Anatomy, Shoulder and Upper Limb, Ulnar Artery; Anatomy, Shoulder and Upper Limb, Forearm Arteries; Anatomy of the Human Body (20th ed.): Development of the Vascular System (Lea & Febiger (Gray's Anatomy, 1918), 1918) · adapted, Public domain.

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Representative model, for educational purposes only.

Interosseous arteries highlighted on the Durgical 3D model