The brachial artery is a major blood vessel located in the upper arm and is the main supplier of blood to the arm and hand. The brachial artery continues from the axillary artery at the shoulder and travels down the underside of the arm. Along with the medial cubital vein and bicep tendon, it forms the cubital fossa, the triangular pit on the inside of the elbow.
Below the cubital fossa, the brachial artery divides into two arteries running down the forearm: the ulnar and radial. In some people, this division occurs higher up, causing these arteries to run through the upper arm. These are the two main branches of the brachial artery. The brachial artery’s other branches are:
- the inferior ulnar collateral
- profunda brachii
- superior ulnar arteries
The brachial artery’s pulse can be felt on the elbow’s front side. This is why blood pressure is measured in this area.