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Anatomical variations of the superficial ulnar artery: case series observed on historical specimens prepared by Ludwik Karol Teichmann
, 2, 2, 2, 3, 1, 1
Affiliations- Department of Normal and Clinical Anatomy, Chair of Anatomy and Histology, Medical University of Lodz, Poland
- Department of Anatomy, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Krakow, Poland
- Department of Neurosurgery, Spine and Peripheral Nerve Surgery, Medical University of Lodz, University Hospital WAM-CSW, Lodz, Poland
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Abstract
Background: This report presents a series of cases representing variant origin and course of the ulnar artery, namely the superficial ulnar artery (SUA), observed during the review of collection of historical specimens prepared in the 19th century by the prominent Polish anatomist Ludwik Karol Teichmann and his collaborators, exhibited in the Anatomy Museum of Jagiellonian University Medical College.
Results: Three distinct variants of the SUA were found on anatomical specimens of the upper limb with arteries injected by using Teichmann’s method. In case no. 1, the SUA originated from the brachial artery slightly above the interepicondylar line of the humerus. This aberrant vessel gave off the common interosseous artery in the upper half of the cubital fossa and then ran superficially to the bicipital aponeurosis and over the muscles arising from the medial epicondyle of the humerus. The cases no. 2 and 3 involved two similar variants of the superficial artery in which the common interosseous artery arose from the radial artery. In the unique case no. 4, the SUA arose from the radial artery.
Conclusions: The SUA shows diverse anatomy regarding its topography and blood supply territory. Orthopaedic, hand, and plastic surgeons should be aware of anatomic variations of the SUA both in planning and in conducting surgeries of the upper limb.
Abstract
Background: This report presents a series of cases representing variant origin and course of the ulnar artery, namely the superficial ulnar artery (SUA), observed during the review of collection of historical specimens prepared in the 19th century by the prominent Polish anatomist Ludwik Karol Teichmann and his collaborators, exhibited in the Anatomy Museum of Jagiellonian University Medical College.
Results: Three distinct variants of the SUA were found on anatomical specimens of the upper limb with arteries injected by using Teichmann’s method. In case no. 1, the SUA originated from the brachial artery slightly above the interepicondylar line of the humerus. This aberrant vessel gave off the common interosseous artery in the upper half of the cubital fossa and then ran superficially to the bicipital aponeurosis and over the muscles arising from the medial epicondyle of the humerus. The cases no. 2 and 3 involved two similar variants of the superficial artery in which the common interosseous artery arose from the radial artery. In the unique case no. 4, the SUA arose from the radial artery.
Conclusions: The SUA shows diverse anatomy regarding its topography and blood supply territory. Orthopaedic, hand, and plastic surgeons should be aware of anatomic variations of the SUA both in planning and in conducting surgeries of the upper limb.
Keywords
anatomic variation, arteries, brachial artery, common interosseous artery, radial artery, superficial ulnar artery, ulnar artery, superficial brachioulnoradial artery
About this articleTitle
Anatomical variations of the superficial ulnar artery: case series observed on historical specimens prepared by Ludwik Karol Teichmann
Journal
Issue
Article type
Case report
Pages
227-233
Published online
2021-02-09
Page views
5873
Article views/downloads
1747
DOI
Pubmed
Bibliographic record
Folia Morphol 2022;81(1):227-233.
Keywords
anatomic variation
arteries
brachial artery
common interosseous artery
radial artery
superficial ulnar artery
ulnar artery
superficial brachioulnoradial artery
Authors
E. Clarke
J. Skrzat
M. Mazur
A. Musiał
J. Sienkiewicz
M. Radek
M. Polguj
G. Wysiadecki
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