Origin, Course and Termination of Brachial Artery

Origin

The brachial artery is the continuation of the axillary artery. It begins at the lower border of the teres major muscle.

It runs downwards and laterally in the front of the arm, in the anterior compartment, accompanying the median nerve.
It is superficial throughout its course, covered only by skin and fasciae, making it easily accessible for palpation, compression, and venepuncture-related procedures.
It is accompanied throughout by two venae comitantes (paired companion veins).
It crosses the elbow joint anteriorly.

The brachial artery ends in the cubital fossa, at the level of the neck of the radius, just medial to the tendon of biceps brachii.
It terminates by dividing into its two terminal branches:
- Radial artery (smaller, more superficial, lateral terminal branch)
- Ulnar artery (larger, deeper, medial terminal branch)

The brachial pulse is best felt in the cubital fossa, medial to the tendon of biceps brachii, with the elbow flexed (biceps tendon is then easily palpable as a landmark).
This site is used for auscultation during blood pressure measurement.
The artery can be compressed against the shaft of the humerus most effectively at the level of insertion of coracobrachialis (mid-arm) — used to control hemorrhage from any artery distal to it (e.g., bleeding from the palmar arterial arches).