[Angioarchitecture of the ulna and radius and their practical relevance]

The periosteal and endosteal blood supply of the human ulna and radius was investigated by anatomical dissection. The main artery concerned is the anterior interosseous artery. It supplies the diaphysis of ulna and radius; its branches feed the distal one-fourths of both the ulna and the radius. The proximal one-fourth of the ulna is supplied by the ulnar artery, the ulnar recurrent artery and the recurrent interosseous artery. Periosteal branches of the common interosseous artery, the ulnar artery and the recurrent interosseous artery supply the proximal one-fourth of the radius. In both bones the main branch of the nutrient artery has an ascending course. The anterior interosseous artery, as the main artery of the periosteal and endosteal supply of the human ulna and radius, is important in transplantation and reconstruction, especially with a view to reducing the rate of pseudarthrosis. When osteosynthesis is planned so-called LC-DC plates should be chosen to preserve the periosteal branches. When a vascularized bone graft is taken from the forearm the vascularization of the remaining bones has to be considered. The vascularity of this area allows various options in grafting.