The Supedcial UlnarArtery: Development and Surgical Significance

Abstract

The upper limbs of 72 formalin-fixed human cadavers were examined by dissection for arternial anomalies. In one subject, the ulnar artery was noted to be a branch of the second part of the axillary artery on both right and lefts sides. It ran a superficial course in the arm, crossed the elbow immediately subjacent to the median cubital vein, and continued its course in the fore-arm in a subcutaneous position. In the hand it played a dominant role in the formation of the superficial palmar arch. The anomalous ulnar artery was of a smaller caliber than the radial and common interosseous arteries. Although superficial ulnar arteries have been reported in the literature, the combination of bilateral superficial ulnar arteries originating from the axillary arteries appears to be rare. The developmental and surgical significance of findings were discussed.