A STUDY OF BRACHIAL ARTERY WITH HIGH UP DIVISION AND ITS CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE

Abstract

Anomalies of the forelimb arterial tree are fairly common. In present study we observed the brachial artery with its high up division into radial and ulnar arteries in the middle of the arm. The findings were noted after thorough dissection of the upper limbs of both sides (axilla, arm, cubital fossa, forearm and palm) in twenty cadavers in the Department of Anatomy, R. D. Gardi Medical College, Ujjain, in the period of August 2010 to July 2012. After dissection each dissected part was numbered and arteries were painted and Photographic documentation of the variation was taken. An unusually short segment brachial artery was noted in the 2 cadaver. This short segment brachial artery bifurcated more proximally at the level of insertion of coracobrachialis in the middle of the left arm into radial and ulnar arteries. Further distribution of these two arteries was normal in both cadavers. No other variation was found particularly in relation to the cords of the brachial plexus and their branches. The short segment brachial artery with high up bifurcation as noted in the present study is fairly common. The variations can be explained in the light of embryological development. In addition, knowledge of such variation is important for carrying out surgical procedures in the arm in the arm and measurement of blood pressure routinely.