Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 7, 2026

Vascularized Composite Upper Limb Allograft Harvesting for Proximal Arm Allotransplantation
Published on: June 13, 2025
Angiosome territories of the nerves of the upper limbs
Matthew K-H Hong1, Michael K-Y Hong, G Ian Taylor
1Jack Brockhoff Reconstructive Plastic Surgery Research Unit, Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia.
Background:
The use of free vascularized nerve grafts requires intimate knowledge of the blood supply of peripheral nerves. The authors aimed to demonstrate radiographically the topography of the upper limb nerves with their blood supply, and to examine them as an application of the angiosome concept. An angiosome is a three-dimensional block of composite tissue supplied by a single source artery.
Methods:
This anatomical study involved the meticulous dissection of four fresh upper limb specimens injected intraarterially with a gelatin-lead oxide mixture. The nerves were tagged circumferentially with copper wire and radiographs were taken of the nerves with their arterial blood supply. The median, ulnar, radial, musculocutaneous, and axillary nerves were examined.
Results:
The authors showed that the nerves of the upper limb were supplied segmentally by source vessels, which reinforced the angiosome concept. The suitability of each nerve for harvest in free vascularized nerve transfer was assessed according to its pattern of blood supply.
Conclusions:
The authors' work has a wide range of clinical applications and provides an anatomical basis for neurovascular and neurocutaneous flaps and free vascularized nerve grafting.
Related Concept Videos
Arteries of the Upper Limbs
Spinal Nerves: Plexus I
The Cervical Plexus
The cervical plexus, formed by the anterior rami of the first four...
Sympathetic Pathways: Sympathetic Chain Ganglia
Peripheral Nervous System: Ganglia and Nerves
Nerves
The nerve is a bundle of axons that serves as the communication highway in the PNS. Each nerve is ensheathed in a protective layer of connective tissue called the epineurium. This outermost layer safeguards the nerve and supports the...
Arteries of Lower Limbs
Veins of Upper Limbs
The deep venous system is primarily composed of the ulnar and radial veins. The ulnar vein, which drains the fingers through the superficial palmar venous arches, and the radial vein, which serves the palms via the deep palmar...