Premium
Accessory Brachial Artery ‐ A Unique Variant
Author(s) -
Ziemann Sarika,
Esterson Aryeh,
Velavan Sumathilatha Sakthi,
Rich Sushama
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.31.1_supplement.896.8
Subject(s) - medicine , brachial artery , ulnar artery , axillary artery , anastomosis , anatomy , forearm , median nerve , brachial plexus , dissection (medical) , artery , upper limb , radial artery , cadaver , surgery , radiology , blood pressure
The anatomical variations of arterial patterns of the upper limb are associated with embryological and clinical significance. A unique variant of the brachial artery was observed and is reported due to its rarity. This was a case study that examined the vasculature of the right upper limb during routine dissection of a 57 year old female Caucasian cadaver. Two arteries were observed in the anterior aspect of the arm. The first artery (accessory brachial artery) was larger, continued from axillary artery, coursed superficial to the median nerve and terminated as ulnar and radial arteries. The second artery (brachial artery) arose at the level of the third part of the axillary artery, was enclosed by the two roots of the median nerve and coursed deep to the median nerve. The posterior and anterior circumflex humeral, two profunda brachii, and superior and inferior ulnar collateral arteries emerged as branches of the second artery. Anastomosis was noted between the two arteries in the cubital fossa. Accessory brachial artery served as the main feeding artery of forearm and hand in this case while the brachial artery terminated after supplying the brachium. Failure of regression of the superficial brachial artery during stage five of embryological development explains this uncommon variant. The knowledge of such a variation is valuable to consider in routine evaluation of angiographic images, and for surgical intervention. Support or Funding Information Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine Department of Anatomy provided our source of support.