Left brachial artery

Looks like

The main artery of the upper arm, running down the inner side of the arm to the front of the elbow, where it splits in two.

What it does

Carries blood to the whole forearm and hand; its pulse at the elbow is what a blood-pressure cuff listens to.

Keeping it well

Elbow fractures in children can pinch it: a cold, pale hand or severe forearm pain after such a fall needs urgent care.

Related conditions

• High blood pressure
• High cholesterol
• Hypothermia & frostbite
• Kawasaki disease
• Metabolic syndrome
• Orthostatic hypotension & POTS
• Peripheral artery disease
• Phaeochromocytoma & hyperaldosteronism
• Pre-eclampsia
• Raynaud's phenomenon
• Sepsis
• Shock (circulatory failure)
• Vasculitis (GCA & others)