VASCULATURE OF THE ARM

In the arm, the brachial artery branches into the ulnar and radial arteries. These two arteries meet at the deep palmar arch in the palm of the hand. Blood is returned from the arm to the heart via the median cubital vein, the basilic vein, and the cephalic vein. The median cubital vein is a common site from which phlebotomists draw blood samples.

Circulation

The circulatory system carries blood to all parts of the body, and the one-way flow of blood within the body is called circulation. Arteries (carrying oxygen-rich blood) transport blood away from the heart, and are red in the diagram. Veins (carrying oxygen-poor blood) transport blood back to the heart and are blue in the diagram.

Resources

Texas Heart Institute www.texasheartinstitute.com/HIC/Anatomy/arm_anat.cfm