Abstract

SUPERFICIAL ULNAR ARTERY- A CADAVERIC CASE STUDY

Dr. Swarup P. Kulkarni* and Dr. Swarupa S. Mane

Abstract

Considering the human anatomy of the upper extremity, particularly arteries of the upper extremity, it consists of axillary artery, brachial artery, radial artery, and ulnar artery, superficial and deep palmar arches. Axillary artery continuous as brachial artery at the lower border of teres major muscle. Then, brachial artery generally divides into radial and ulnar arteries at the cubital fossa. After arising from the brachial artery in the cubital fossa, the ulnar artery normally passes deep to the superficial flexors of the forearm. In this cadaveric case study, during the first year undergraduate course dissection, the right side (unilateral) ulnar artery was found to be originated 3cms above the cubital fossa from the brachial artery. Since its origin above from the cubital fossa, the ulnar artery was following superficial course lying superficial to the flexors muscles and completed superficial palmar arch in the hand. The superficial ulnar artery gave only two minute muscular branches in the forearm. The other of branches was found to be given by the radial artery. This kind of variation in the course of ulnar artery is of importance for surgeons as well as clinicians in the treatment aspects. In the left upper extremity, the origin, course and branches of the ulnar artery were normal.

Keywords: Upper extremity arteries, unilateral superficial ulnar artery, cadaveric case study.