Rare variants in anatomy of the brachial artery

Abstract

Introduction: Arteries are the structures that can vary greatly even in the body of the same person. About 20% of people have different variations in arteries branching and topography. Arteries of the upper extremity are the place of frequent surgical manipulations and diagnostic operations, therefore knowledge about the variant anatomy of vessels of upper extremity may be beneficial. Aims: The aim of our study was to analyze types of branching that may occur in brachial artery in males and female of different age. Using macro and micropreparation we assessed anatomy of brachial artery in 10 fetuses and 20 adult cadavers (60-85 years) taken from the collection of the human anatomy department of the Grodno State Medical University. Results: In 60% of cases in adults we found the classic type of branching, 20% had a high level of brachial bifurcation. Usually it occurs near the neck of the radial bone. In fetuses brachial artery had typical way in most cases. We described two types of its branching: magistral and loose. Sometimes the brachial artery is double; it has superficial and deep branches. A. brachialis superficialis is the branch of the axillary artery that usually is present on the median nerve as in most cases the brachial artery lies behind the nerve. The first who described the superficial brachial artery was Adachi. Keen who proposed that the superficial brachial artery is the radial artery that starts from the axillary artery. The brachial artery may run with the median nerve toward the medial epicondyle, where it may turn around, or beneath, a supracondylar process if present (2.7% of individuals, Gruber) and then descend to its normal position beneath the pronator teres. It may also pass through the pronator teres muscle where it may be entrapped and compromised. Variations in branching of brachial artery are typical in 20% of the population. This should be counted while performing medical procedures in this area.