Common Interosseous Artery

Common interosseous artery develops from the upper portion of the ulnar artery and following a very short course here at the upper border of interosseous membrane, it splits within anterior as well as posterior interosseous arteries.

Common Interosseous Artery

Origin

The common interosseous artery is the thickest as well as smallest branch of the ulnar artery. It is created opposite the protrusion of the radius around two or three centimeters beneath the start of the ulnar artery. Then it travels distally as well as laterally towards the proximal margin of the interosseous membrane and splits within the anterior and posterior interosseous arteries. The posterior interosseous artery travels dorsally above the proximal margin of the interosseous membrane in the posterior compartment of the forearm. The anterior interosseous artery travels distally with the anterior part of the interosseous membrane and circulates muscles of the deep compartment of the forearm along with the radius and ulna.

Branches

Posterior Interosseous Artery

The posterior interosseous artery arises within the anterior compartment from the common interosseous section of the ulnar artery and goes posteriorly over the proximal margin of the interosseous membrane as well as within the posterior compartment of the forearm. After acquiring the terminal end of the anterior interosseous artery, the posterior interosseous artery ends by connecting the dorsal carpal arch of the wrist. It adds a branch, the recurrent interosseous artery, towards the vascular network over the elbow joint in order to circulate the superficial extensors and after that travels among the supinator and abductor pollicis longus muscles.

Anterior Interosseous Artery

The anterior interosseous artery, also a section of the common interosseous branch of the ulnar artery, is located inside the anterior compartment of the forearm at the interosseous membrane. It has various piercing branches, which travel directly via the interosseous membrane towards supply deep muscles of the posterior compartment. The terminal end of the anterior interosseous artery goes posteriorly via an aperture inside the interosseous membrane within distal areas of the forearm to connect with the posterior interosseous artery.