BackgroundAxillary artery is known to show different variations mostly in its branching pattern. Similarly, the origin of profunda brachii is often encountered with abnormality. Therefore, when the vascular variations in the upper limb persist, mostly it is confined to its branching pattern followed by its variant origin. But, among all the reported variations of profunda brachii, its variant origin from the 3rd part of the axillary artery with common trunk for the branches of axillary artery is unique.Case DetailsWe report here an anomalous origin of profunda brachii as continuation of an arterial trunk arising from 3rd part of the axillary artery. This common trunk at its commencement passed between 2 roots of median nerve and gave branches of 3rd part of axillary artery before it continued as profunda brachii artery. The further course and branching pattern of profunda brachii were normal.ConclusionSince the axillary artery is next choice of artery for arterial canulation in cardiopulmonary bypass procedures, prior knowledge of existence of such variation in its branching pattern helps in avoiding possible diagnostic or interventional therapeutic errors.

A detailed knowledge of the branching patterns and the variations of the cutaneous nerves of the extremities will help to decrease iatrogenic injury to these nerves. A case of abnormal distribution of the superficial peroneal nerve, observed during the routine dissection of the right leg of an 81 year old male cadaver at AIMST University, Kedah, Malaysia is reported here. The nerve after supplying the peroneal muscles of lateral compartment gave a medial dorsal cutaneous branch and a lateral dorsal cutaneous branch. The medial dorsal cutaneous branch descended in front of the middle of the ankle to the dorsum of the foot and supplied the skin of medial side of the great toe, the medial side of the 1 st metatarsal region and the 1 st web space including the adjacent sides of great and second toes. The lateral dorsal cutaneous branch descended in front of the lateral malleolus to enter the lateral aspect of the dorsum of the foot where it divided into medial and lateral terminal branches to supply adjacent sides of the 2nd, 3rd, 4 th and 5th toes. On the other hand, the deep peroneal nerve after supplying the muscles of anterior compartment of leg continued on dorsum of foot without dividing into terminal branches and without supplying the skin of first web space and adjacent sides of great and second toes. It ended by supplying the extensor digitorum brevis muscle. Surgical and clinical significance of this rare variation of the superficial peroneal nerve is discussed and relevant literature is reviewed.

In the present paper we present a rare variation of entrapment of the medial root of median nerve. During the dissection classes in the Department of Anatomy at Melaka Manipal Medical College, a 50-year-old male cadaver showed the medial root of median nerve passing between the axillary artery and its anomalous branch. Due to this the medial root may be compressed. The clinical significance of the variation is discussed.

Though the variations in the carotid arteries and their branches are common in the carotid triangle, it is important for the clinicians, surgeons and the radiologists to be aware of all possible variations of these arteries. A case of abnormal origin of 2 important arteries encountered during routine dissection of carotid triangle of the neck is reported. The superior thyroid artery that normally originates form the external carotid was seen to originate from the common carotid artery and the superior laryngeal artery was arising from the external carotid artery instead of the superior thyroid artery. Further, a detailed literature review was done and the surgical, radiological and clinical importance of the case was discussed.

Introduction The course and location of ansa cervicalis of the neck often vary. Because of its closeness with the major vessels and nerves of the neck, any variation in its pattern is of great clinical and surgical importance. This paper reports a case of an unusual looping pattern of ansa cervicalis. Case report We report here an unusual looping pattern of ansa cervicalis. The inferior root of ansa cervicalis, instead of joining the superior root as a single nerve, had both the C2 and C3 components of it joined to the superior root separately without uniting each other. Due to this, two loops of AC were formed superior and inferior. Conclusion Since the branches of ansa cervicalis are often chosen for nerve-muscle transplantation in the treatment of paralysed larynx, and some of the branches arise from the loop of the AC, an abnormal looping pattern may hinder such surgical procedures. Therefore, it is essential to the surgeons to be familiar with its unusual variations.