Similar to the muscles, the neurovasculature of the forearm can be conveniently categorized into anterior and posterior compartments.
The anterior compartment is larger and slightly more complicated than the posterior one.
Blood supply
The anterior compartment is supplied by branches of the brachial artery, which enters the forearm by passing through the cubital fossa and dividing into the radial and ulnar arteries.
Radial artery
Course and description
The radial artery originates at the neck of the radius bone and transverses along the lateral aspect of the forearm. In the proximal half of the forearm, the radial artery lies deep to the brachioradialis muscle, while in the distal part it lies immediately lateral to the tendon of flexor carpi radialis. It leaves the forearm by passing around the lateral aspect of the wrist and penetrating the hand posterolaterally.
Branches
The radial artery gives off 3 main branches:
- The radial recurrent artery supplies the muscles on the lateral forearm and contributes to the anastomotic network around the elbow joint.
- The palmar carpal artery supplies the carpal bones and joints.
- The superficial palmar branch is the largest of the branches. It enters the hand by superficially passing the thenar muscles and anastomosing with the superficial palmar arch.
Ulnar artery
Course and description
The larger