High division of brachial artery with superficial course of radial and ulnar artery in left forearm.

ABSTRACT

Background: Variations in the vascular pattern of the upper limb are common in Indian population. Brachial artery is a continuation of axillary artery, it divides into its terminal branches namely radial and ulnar arteries at the level of neck of radius in the cubital fossa. In the present case, brachial artery bifurcated at its commencement below the lower border of teres major. Both the terminal branches, ulnar and radial artery had superficial course along the medial aspect of biceps brachii. In the cubital fossa, radial artery gave off common interosseous artery. In the forearm, radial artery had more superficial course than ulnar artery. Knowledge of these variations is important during vascular and re-constructive surgery and also in evaluation of angiographic images. Superficial position of ulnar and radial artery makes it more vulnerable to trauma and more accessible to cannulation.