Variations in the Terminal Branches of Brachial Artery- A Cadaveric Cross-sectional Study

Abstract

Introduction: Brachial Artery (BA) begins as a continuation of axillary artery at the distal border of teres major, it appears in the cubital fossa, where it ends at the level of the neck of radius by dividing into radial and ulnar arteries. Common Interosseous Artery (CIA) is the largest branch of Ulnar Artery (UA) and arises in the cubital fossa. The terminal branches of BA at elbow are clinically important since they are responsible for the arterial supply to the forearm and hand. These arteries may get damaged during fractures of the elbow. Aim: To know the variations in the terminal branches of the BA at elbow. Materials and Methods: The present cross-sectional cadaveric study was done on 40 upper limbs from embalmed adult human cadavers in the Department of Anatomy, Kamineni Institute of Medical Sciences, Narketpally, Telangana, India, from August 2017 to August 2019. Dissection of BA in arm and cubital fossa was carried out according to Cunningham’s manual of practical anatomy. The distance of division of BA into radial and UA and distance of origin of CIA from Inter Epicondylar Line (IEL) of humerus were noted. Results: In present study, 20 right-side specimens and 20 left- side specimens were obtained. Among 20 cadavers used, 16 were male cadavers and four were female cadavers. The mean distance (D1) of normal division of BA into the Radial Artery (RA) and UA at elbow was 2.8 cm below the imaginary line joining the medial and IEL. The mean distance (D2) of normal origin of CIA was 6.8 cm below the imaginary line joining the medial and lateral epicondyles of the humerus (IEL). CIA arising from the UA was present in 37 specimens (92.5%) and in the rest three specimens Anterior Interosseous Artery (AIA) and Posterior Interosseous Artery (PIA) arose directly from the UA. Conclusion: The present study has found variations in site of division of terminal branches of the BA at elbow in three specimens