The incidence of a superficial arterial pattern in the human upper extremities.

The incidence of superficial arteries was studied in 68 (38 right and 30 left) upper extremities. One right limb of an adult male presented a superficial arterial pattern (2.63%, total 1.47%) resembling a superficial brachio-ulno-radial artery (SBUR). The median nerve crossed the superficial brachial artery (SBA) from the posterior to the medial side and again posterior to the same at the cubital fossa. The superficial brachial artery divided into superficial radial and superficial ulnar arteries, which coursed distally superficial to the muscles but deep to the deep fascia. The superficial radial artery passed deep to the extensor tendons of the thumb. The superficial ulnar artery gave only muscular branches in the forearm. The superficial radial artery gave origin to the radial recurrent artery and the common interosseous trunk. The latter gave origin to a palmar type of median artery, muscular branches, and an artery that divided into anterior and posterior ulnar recurrent arteries. It also gave origin to the anterior and posterior interosseous arteries. The latter provided the interosseous recurrent artery and a branch that coursed towards the olecranon process of the ulna. The knowledge of this variation is important since it may be compromised in surgical procedures of the upper limb.