Jornal Vascular Brasileiro
https://jvascbras.org/article/doi/10.1590/S1677-54492007000300013
Jornal Vascular Brasileiro
Case Report

The superficial ulnar artery: development and clinical significance

Artéria ulnar superficial: desenvolvimento e relevância clínica

Srinivasulu Reddy; Venkata Ramana Vollala

http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S1677-54492007000300013 J Vasc Bras, vol.6, n3, p.284-287, 2007
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Abstract

The principal arteries of the upper limb show a wide range of variation that is of considerable interest to orthopedic surgeons, plastic surgeons, radiologists and anatomists. We present here a case of superficial ulnar artery found during the routine dissection of right upper limb of a 50-year-old male cadaver. The superficial ulnar artery originated from the brachial artery, crossed the median nerve anteriorly and ran lateral to this nerve and the brachial artery. The superficial ulnar artery in the arm gave rise to a narrow muscular branch to the biceps brachii. At the elbow level the artery ran superficial to the bicipital aponeurosis where it was crossed by the median cubital vein. It then ran downward and medially superficial to the forearm flexor muscles, and then downward to enter the hand. At the palm, it formed the superficial and deep palmar arches together with the branches of the radial artery. The presence of a superficial ulnar artery is clinically important when raising forearm flaps in reconstructive surgery. The embryology and clinical significance of the variation are discussed.

Keywords

Upper limb, superficial ulnar artery, brachial artery, forearm flexor muscles, forearm flaps

Resumo

As principais artérias do membro superior apresentam uma ampla variação, que é relativamente importante a cirurgiões ortopédicos e plásticos, radiologistas e anatomistas.Apresentamosumcaso de artéria ulnar superficial encontrada durante dissecção de rotina de membro superior direito de um cadáver masculino de 50 anos de idade.Aartéria ulnar superficial originava-se da artéria braquial, cruzava o nervo mediano anteriormente e percorria lateralmente esse nervo e a artéria braquial. A artéria ulnar superficial no braço deu origem a um ramo muscular estreito do músculo bíceps braquial. Ao nível do cotovelo, a artéria percorria superficialmente a aponeurose bicipital, onde era cruzada pela veia cubital mediana. Percorria, então, em sentido descendente e medialmente superficial aos músculos flexores do antebraço, e então descendia para entrar na mão. Na palma, essa artéria formava os arcos palmares superficial e profundo junto com os ramos da artéria radial.Apresença de uma artéria ulnar superficial é clinicamente importante ao levantar retalhos do antebraço em cirurgias reconstrutivas.Aembriologia e relevância clínica da variação são discutidas.

Palavras-chave

Membro superior, artéria ulnar superficial, artéria braquial, músculos flexores do antebraço, retalhos do antebraço

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