Ulnar Artery

• Disappears from Cubital Fossa by passing deep to deep head of Pronator Teres, beneath the fibrous arch of the Flexor Digitorum Superficialis and Median Nerve

• Runs medially and distally on Flexor Digitorum Profundus

• Lies laterally beside the Ulnar Nerve in the distal 2/3 of the forearm

• Passes down over front of wrist into palm, lying anterior to Flexor Retinaculum

• Continues as the Superficial Palmar Arch

• Ulnar pulse can be palpated on radial side of the Flexor Carpi Ulnaris tendon above the Pisiform Bone

• Branches: Common Interosseous Branch

• Common Interosseous Branch

  • Divides into Anterior Interosseous Artery and Posterior Interosseous Artery
  • Anterior Interosseous Artery:
    • Lies deeply on Interosseous Membrane
    • Lies between Flexor Digitorum Profundus and Flexor Pollicis Longus
    • Perforating branches pierce membrane to supply deep extensor muscles
    • Gives Nutrient branches to Radius and Ulna
    • Passes posteriorly through the Interosseous Membrane at the level of the upper border of Pronator Quadratus
    • Ends on the back of the wrist in the Dorsal Carpal Arch
  • Posterior Interosseous Artery:
    • A failure
    • Accompanies the Posterior Interosseous Nerve
    • Assisted by branches of the Anterior Interosseous Artery that pierce the Interosseous membrane
    • Later replaced by the Anterior Interosseous Artery – which pierces the membrane to enter extensor compartment