Quick Facts
Origin: Common interosseous artery.
Course: Distally, deep within the anterior compartment of the forearm and hand.
Branches: Median artery.
Supplied Structures: Deep muscles of extensor compartment, radius and ulna, palmar surface hand, cutaneous supply to lateral aspect of distal forearm.
Origin
The common interosseous artery terminally bifurcates into the anterior and posterior interosseous arteries.
Course
The anterior interosseous artery courses inferiorly along the anterior aspect of the interosseous membrane of the forearm, between the flexor digitorum profundus and flexor pollicis longus muscles. It is accompanied by the anterior interosseous branch of the median nerve. It exits the anterior compartment by traversing the interosseous membrane proximal to the pronator quadratus muscle and enters the posterior compartment of the forearm. It unites with the posterior interosseous artery and courses distally deep to the extensor retinaculum, where it then joins the dorsal carpal arch.
Branches
The anterior interosseous artery gives off the median artery when present. It also provides muscular, cutaneous, and nutrient branches.
Supplied Structures
The anterior interosseous artery supplies the deep muscles of the forearm, such as flexor digitorum profundus, flexor pollicis longus, and pronator quadratus muscle, as well as to the supply of the radius and ulna. It contributes to the palmar and dorsal arches of the wrist and hand and gives cutaneous supply to the lateral aspect of the distal forearm.
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Artery
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