A Survey of Variation in Upper Limb Arteries

Since "variation" is one of anatomy topics which helps other medical sciences, specially surgery, and gives assures surgeons of surgical operations. Thus, investigation of variations in cadavers is very important and essential.A cadaver about 50-year-old and white race was prepared and dissected at Anatomy Department of Fasa Medical School.After dissecting the left arm, it was revealed that in the half of the arm brachial artery has been divided into its terminal branches which are radial and ulnar arteries. The radial artery was located in the medial and the ulnar artery was located in the lateral side so that ulnar artery supply blood to biceps muscle. Coracobrachialis muscles are also supplied by radial artery. Also, brachialis muscles are supplied by ulnar and radial arteries respectively. The profunda brachei was laterally branched immediately over the point of dividing of the brachial artery. The radial and ulnar arteries were crossed in about 3cm over the top of cubital fossa. Radial artery extended toward extensors and ulnar artery extended toward flexors groups muscles .These variations can make problems for surgeons in arm surgery.