Anatomical variation of brachial artery bifurcation

OBJECTIVE: To observe the topographic localization of the brachial artery termination.

METHODS: This study was conducted at the Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia from December 2011 to February 2013. The bifurcation level of the brachial artery was determined in relation to the neck of the radius. Normal and abnormal terminations of the brachial artery were recorded.

RESULTS: In 13 cases (21.7%), the bifurcation of brachial artery was normal. In 33 cases (6%), the bifurcation level was a few centimeters below the neck of the radius. In 7 cases (11.7%), the bifurcation level was above the radial neck in the area of cubital fossa. In 6 cases (10%), the termination of the brachial artery was found to be above the middle of the front of the arm. In one of the previous cases, the radial artery arose from the brachial artery on the medial side of the ulnar artery. In one case (1.7%), the radial and the ulnar arteries originated directly from the axillary artery, the brachial artery was absent.

CONCLUSION: Morphological variations of the brachial artery are common findings and should be considered by surgeons when performing procedures in the brachial artery area.