Unusual origin of the radial artery

Balachandra N, Prakash BS, Pad

Abstract

Knowledge of the variations in the origin of the radial artery is important as they are used in various clinical procedures like vascular and reconstructive surgeries. Moreover, superficial course of this artery makes it vulnerable to accidental injuries as it may be mistaken as a vein and intravenous injections to it can be disastrous. Here we described a variation in the origin of the radial artery from the third part of the axillary artery. During routine dissection of a male cadaver aged about fifty years by the undergraduate students of our college, the radial artrey was seen to be arising from the third part of the radial artery in the left upper limb. It was passing between the two roots of the median nerve superficial to biceps brachii muscle. In the cubital fossa it communicated with the ulnar artery. It traversed superficially in the forearm and terminated in the hand by forming the deep palmar arch with the deep branch of the ulnar artery.