POSTERIOR COMPARTMENT

OF ARM

Dr. Fatema
Department of anatomy
 OBJECTIVES

• Discuss the muscles of the posterior

compartment of arm

• The neurovasculature of posterior compartment

of arm

• Clinical correlates
 FASCIA OF THE ARM
• Deep fascia of the arm, also known as brachial
fascia
• Lateral and medial intermuscular septum of the
brachial fascia divides arms into anterior (flexor)
and posterior (extensor) compartments
 LATERAL SEPTUM

MEDIAL SEPTUM

TRANSVERSE SEPTUM
MUSCLES

TRICEPS
ANCONEUS
 TRICEPS
• Triceps fills most of the
extensor compartment of
the upper arm
• It arises by three heads
(long, lateral and medial),
from which it takes its
name.
• Blood supply: Profunda
Brachi artery
• Nerve supply: Radial
nerve- C6,7 and 8
 ACTIONS

• Powerful forearm extensor-prime mover

particularly the medial head.
• Antagonist of forearm flexors
• Long head can adduct and extend the arm.
Resists glenohumeral dislocation, therefore
stabilizing the shoulder joint
• The muscle can be tested by palpating its fibres
during elbow extension against resistance.
 ANCONEUS
• It is a small, triangular muscle
posterior to the elbow joint and is
partially blended with triceps
• Arises by a separate tendon from the
posterior surface of the lateral
epicondyle of the humerus.
• Its fibers diverge medially towards
the ulna, covering the posterior
aspect of the annular ligament, and
are attached to the lateral aspect of
the olecranon and proximal
quarter of the posterior surface of
the shaft of the ulna2
 PROFUNDA BRACHII ARTERY
• The profunda brachii is a large branch from the
posteromedial aspect of the brachial artery, distal to
teres major
• It follows the radial nerve closely, along the spiral
groove of humerus.
• It supplies muscular branches, the nutrient artery of the
humerus, and finally divides into terminal radial and
middle collateral branches
• FOUR BRANCHES:
a. Ascending branch/ Deltoid branch - Runs superiorly
between long and lateral head of triceps; anastamoses
with posterior circumflex humeral artery.
b. Middle collateral branch - Descends within medial
triceps head; anastamoses with Interosseus recurrent
artery
c. Radial collateral artery - Continuation of profunda
brachii in the anterior compartment of arm (runs
anteriorly in the elbow); anastamoses with Radial
recurrent artery
d. Nutrient artery
RADIAL NERVE
 RADIAL NERVE
• Origin: Posterior cord of
Brachial Plexus (C5-T1)
Largest branch of brachial plexus
• Course: Courses with
profunda brachii proximally;
distally forms Radial tunnel.
• Shifts anteriorly at lateral
epicondyle of humerus at
elbow where it divides into
• superficial branch – dorsum of
hand and fingers
• deep branch – extensor
muscles and joint
 INJURY TO THE RADIAL NERVE

• Clinical manifestation: wrist drop

 Assingment
• RADIAL NERVE
• AXILLARY NERVE
• MUSCULOCUTANEOUS NERVE
– Nerve root values
– Course
– Branches and supply
Thank you!