Morphological feature of brachial artery and its clinical significance

Abstract

Introduction: The present study is to provide comprehensive data concerning the morphology of brachial artery which has a clinical significance for clinicians, orthopedics, vascular surgeons and anatomists. Materials and Methods: Routine dissections of the right and left upper limb of 34 adult cadavers (20 male and 14 female: mean age 78.9 year) were undertaken. It investigates the characteristics of the brachial artery such as the internal diameter, external diameter, wall thickness and distance of bifurcation of brachial artery. Results: The mean of the external and internal diameters of the brachial artery from proximal to distal ranged from 6.87-5.35 mm respectively. The bifurcation of the brachial artery from the head of radius into its terminal branch radial and ulnar artery ranged from 13.49-13.79 mm, while the distance of bifurcation of common interosseous from origin of the ulnar artery ranged from 33.11-33.45 mm. The angle of bifurcation ofthe radial and ulnar arteries from the brachial artery ranged from 5.79-7.33° and 18.640-19.36° respectively. Due to variability of the brachial artery in the upper limb, the surgical and invasive procedures are performed in the region such as artiicial arterial-venous fistula become more difficult and may result in iatrogenic injury. Conclusion: Therefore, it is a clinical significant for surgeons to known the variable morphology and course of brachial artery to minimize surgical complication prior to operation.

Keywords

brachial artery - ulnar artery - radial artery - common interosseous artery - anterior interosseous artery - posterior interosseous artery