Profunda Brachii Artery (Deep Brachial)

Written by Sharanya Bhaskaran

Last updated September 22, 2023 •
10 Revisions •

Profunda Brachii Artery (Deep Brachial) - Podcast Version

TeachMeAnatomy

0:00 / 0:00

The profunda brachii artery (deep brachial artery) is an artery of the upper arm.

It supplies the humeral shaft and the muscles of the posterior compartment of the arm.

Pro Feature - 3D Model

Course

The profunda brachii arises from the brachial artery at the level of the inferior border of the teres major.

It first passes posteriorly between the long and medial heads of the triceps. Accompanied by the radial nerve, the profunda brachii enters the posterior compartment of the arm through the triangular interval.

It curves around the humerus within the spiral groove, providing muscular branches to the triceps brachii muscle.

At the inferior border of the latissimus dorsi, the profunda brachii divides into two vessels (middle collateral artery and radial collateral artery which form an anastomotic network around the elbow.

Adobe Stock, Licensed to TeachMeSeries Ltd

Fig 1
Anatomical course of the deep brachial artery

By TeachMeSeries Ltd (2025)

Fig 2
The anatomical course and major branches of the brachial artery. Note its relation to the median nerve as it descends the arm.

Pro Feature - Dissection Atlas
Prosection of the muscles of the posterior shoulder and upper arm, demonstrating the quadrangular space.
Prosection of the muscles of the posterior shoulder and upper arm, demonstrating the quadrangular space.

Supply

The profunda brachii artery contributes to the blood supply of the following structures:

  • Shoulder – deltoid
  • Posterior arm – triceps brachii
  • Proxima forearm – anconeus, brachialis, brachioradialis
  • Intermuscular septum
Rate This Article
Recommended Reading