Bilateral Tortuous Upper Limb Arterial Tree and Their Clinical Significance

Abstract

The detailed knowledge about the possible anatomical variations of upper limb arteries is vital for the reparative surgery of the region. Brachial artery is the main artery of upper limb; it is a continuation of axillary artery from the lower border of teres major muscle. During routine cadaveric dissection, we found bilateral tortuous brachial artery which was superficial as well as tortuous throughout its course. It is called superficial as it was superficial to the median nerve. At the neck of radius, it was divided into two terminal branches radial and ulnar arteries which were also tortuous. Tortuosity of the radial artery was more near the flexor retinaculum. When observed, the continuation of ulnar artery as superficial palmar arch also showed tortuosity throughout, including its branches. Being superficial such brachial artery can be more prone to trauma. Tortuous radial artery is one of the causes of access failure in trans-radial approach of coronary interventions. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case where entire post axillary upper limb arterial system is tortuous bilaterally. So knowledge of such tortuous upper limb arterial tree is important for cardiologist, radiologist, plastic surgeons and orthopedic surgeons