Arterial Variation in Upper Limb: Case Report

Kim, Ho Jeong; Kim, Deog Im; Park, Jae Young; Woo, Jung Su; Lee, Kyu Seok

Abstract

The arterial variations of the upper limb are frequently encountered in the human body. However, the appearance of multiple variations in one limb is uncommon. The present arterial variations were found in the right upper limb of 86 years-old female cadaver during a routine dissection. The variations of the arterial patterns are as follows: 1. Two thyrocervical trunks from subclavian artery and the internal thoracic artery is rising from lateral branch of thyrocervical trunks. 2. Thoracoacromial artery was divided two branches and the lateral thoracic artery arises from the small of two branches. 3. The distance of bifurcation of the brachial artery is 14.9 mm from the inferior border of teres major muscle. Medial branch of the brachial artery passes along the median nerve and becomes radial artery. Lateral branch of the brachial artery passes along the median nerve and becomes ulnar artery. 4. Bifurcation of radial artery is occurred at the distance of 46.9 mm from styloid process of radius. Deep palmar branch of radial artery is bifurcated on dorsum of hand. Branches for supplying first and second fingers arise from superficial palmar arch. The arterial variations of the upper limb could be caused a several bleeding in intravenous injection or surgeries and a wrong diagnosis. The knowledge of the arterial variation of the upper limb should be decreased to raise clinical problems.