Proximal brachial artery

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The proximal brachial artery represents the initial portion of the brachial artery as it arises as a continuation of the axillary artery at the inferior edge of teres major.

There is no anatomic difference between the proximal and more distal brachial artery. However, the functional response to vessel occlusion is significantly different depending on whether it occurs before or after the profunda brachii branch. In the proximal vessel, occlusion will likely result in profound limb ischemia whereas occlusion distal to the profunda is likely to be less functionally debilitating since collateralisation can occur at the elbow through branches of the profunda.

Anatomy: Upper limb

Anatomy: Upper limb