Morphological Study of Brachial Artery and Its Variations in Branching Pattern

Abstract

Background: The brachial artery, a continuation of the axillary artery, begins at the distal (inferior) border of the tendon of teres major and ends distal to the elbow joint (at the level of the neck of the radius) by dividing into radial and ulnar arteries. The brachial artery is wholly superficial, covered anteriorly only by skin and superficial and deep fascia. In the present study we aimed to describe the high origin of brachial artery and its branching variations.Materials and methods: The present study was conducted in 40 formalin fixed upper limbs selected by convenient sampling irrespective of age and sex over a period of 6 months. The brachial artery was exposed and the length of the brachial artery and the distance of the profunda brachii artery from the lower border of teres major were measured using a thread and a measuring tape. Variations of brachial artery and its branches were noted.Results: In the present study, arterial variations can be classified as high division of brachial artery in five limbs, which is 12.5% of the 40 limbs dissected. Origin of profundabrachii artery is quite variable in 15% (6 limbs) of cases. Conclusion:Variations of Brachial artery and its branches are common both in respect of formation and termination.Knowledge of the vascular variations will increase the success of the surgical and radiological procedures.