51 - Identification of a Rare Brachial Artery Bifurcation in Proximal Forearm in a Cadaveric Specimen and Its Potential Clinical Significance

Poster Board Number: 51
There are separate poster presentation times for odd and even posters.
Odd poster #s – first hour
Even poster #s – second hour

Co-authors:

David Diaz, MS - Graduate Research Assistant, Neural and Behavioral sciences, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine; Laura Odom, BS - Graduate Research Assistant, Neural and Behavioral sciences, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine

Abstract Body : Intro and objective

There have been various reports of different variations in brachial artery branching patterns in the arm, from high division to the presence of an accessory brachial artery. These variations have been linked to embryological development during the formation of arteries, resulting in various branching patterns. Typically, the brachial artery divides into the proximal forearm and the radial artery, which stay superficial, and the ulnar artery travels deep in the cubital fossa. However, few articles have described variations in the brachial artery bifurcation in the cubital fossa. Here, we describe a rare brachial artery bifurcation into a superficial ulnar artery and a common radial-interosseous trunk in the cubital fossa.

Materials and Methods

Routine dissection of the forearm region of a 66-year-olf male cadaver was performed by an anatomy graduate student and teaching assistant in October 2023. All cadavers in the laboratory (n=35) were examined, and no unique branching patterns were observed.

Result

A rare brachial artery branching pattern is observed unilaterally in the left upper limb. In the proximal forearm, the brachial artery divides into an ulnar artery and common radial-interosseous trunk. Initially, the ulnar artery remains superficial to the flexor forearm muscle and dives lateral to the flexor digitorum superior (FDS), piercing the muscle to emerge from it and running parallel to the ulnar nerve, both travelling laterally to the FDS towards the distal forearm. The common radial-interosseous trunk bifurcates into common interosseous and radial arteries. The common interosseous branch first gives off a recurrent radial artery proximally, which ascends deep into the brachioradialis muscle. The common interosseous branch travels deep in the cubital fossa and gives off a common trunk that bifurcates into anterior and posterior ulnar recurrent arteries. The common interosseous branch terminates in the anterior and posterior interosseous arteries. The radial artery remains superficial in the forearm and descends in the forearm between the flexor carpi radialis and brachioradialis muscle tendons.

Conclusion

This report summarizes a rare brachial artery branching pattern within the forearm that gives rise to a superficial ulnar artery and a common radial-interosseous trunk. This case report is the first to be observed in a sample of 35 cadaveric specimens of PSCOM.

Significance

Knowledge of the variations in brachial artery branching pattern in the upper limbs is important in procedures such as angiography and surgery for correct interpretation of radiology images and surgical interventions. In addition, the superficial ulnar artery may be used in reconstructive surgery.