Radial Artery: Anatomical Variations At Wrist And Clinical Significance

ABSTRACT

Background: Knowledge regarding the course and termination of the radial artery before harvesting it for coronaryartery bypass graft surgery (CABGS) is important. The brachial artery terminates at the neck of radius into radialand ulnar arteries.Purpose of the study To know the various patterns of anomalous division ofthe radial artery.Methods: The study included 50 upper limb specimens from the Department of Anatomy, Sree Narayana Instituteof Medical Sciences, Ernakulam. The specimens were fixed with 10% formalin solution and the radial artery wasexposed from its origin till termination and observations were noted down.Results: The present study revealed that, radial artery usually was arising from brachial artery at the level ofneck of radius. The variants observed included high bifurcation of brachial artery, division of radial artery intopalmar and dorsal branches in the forearm and anomalous course of radial artery in the region of anatomicalsnuff box.Conclusion: The present study has revealed the anomalous division and course of radial artery around the wristand anatomical snuff box and the knowledge of such anomalous course is important for diagnostic, interventionaland surgical procedures.