A cadaveric study of brachial artery and its variations with its ontogenic basis: An Anatomical Perspective

Abstract

Introduction: Conventional knowledge of the brachial artery, the principal artery of the upper limb & its branches has played a major role in vascular surgeries. Literature along with various cadaveric & clinical studies suggest that brachial artery vary widely in origin, course and branching pattern. The great variability of this arterial pattern may be attributed to the failure of regression of some paths of embryonic arterial trunks. Anatomical knowledge of this principal artery and its variations has many clinical implications especially in surgeries related to orthopedic and vascular re-constructive procedures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The present study was conducted on 56 upper limbs of different age group and sex (19 Male and 9 Female) The brachial arteries were identified and branching pattern and relations of the brachial artery with brachial plexus in arm was observed and presence or absence of variations were documented. Results: Out of 56 upper limbs studies, 53 (94.64%) limbs showed normal morphological pattern of brachial artery, 3 (5.35%) limbs showed superficial brachial artery, 1 limb (1.78%) showed tortuous and SBA with trifurcation into radial artery, ulnar artery and common interosseous artery in the cubital fossa. Conclusion: The study of Brachial artery and variation in its course and branching pattern is clinically important for surgeons, ortho-paedicians operating on the supracondylar fracture of humerus and radiologists performing angiographic studies on the upper limb. KEY WORDS: Common Interosseous Artery, Median Nerve, Superficial Brachial Artery, Trifurcation, Ulnar Artery.