High Bifurcation of the Brachial Artery: An Embryological Overview

Gregory Tsoucalas, Anna Eleftheriou, Eleni Panagouli, Gregory Tsoucalas, Anna Eleftheriou, Eleni Panagouli

Abstract

The brachial artery is the main artery of the arm and constitutes the continuation of the axillary artery. It gives off two terminal branches, the radial and ulnar arteries. According to the literature, the brachial artery might present a deviation from the normal pattern in 20% of the cases. High bifurcation of the artery seems to be the most common variation and may result in a series of complications during surgery and interventional radiology. An embryological overview is necessary for a better understanding of this variant. The brachial artery is being developed during embryonic life by the main trunk of the axis artery. The superficial brachial artery is also an important stable fetal vessel for normal arterial morphogenesis of the upper limb.

Keywords: axis artery; radial artery; radiology; surgery; ulnar artery.

Conflict of interest statement

The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

Copyright © 2020, Tsoucalas et al.

Figures

Figure 1. Embryologic development of upper limb…
Figure 1. Embryologic development of upper limb arteries and possible explanation of high bifurcation of the brachial artery
The main trunk of the axis artery (AA) forms the brachial artery. The superficial brachial artery (SBA) gives branching to the ulnar artery (UA) and continues in the forearm as part of the radial artery (RA) while the rest of it regresses [1-2]. In cases of non-regression of the SBA, the artery continues as the RA and gives rise to the UA, resulting in the high bifurcation of the brachial artery. SBA (r): superficial brachial artery regressed, MA: median artery

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