The arcade of Fröhse: an anatomic study.

An anatomic study of the appearance and consistency of the upper arcade of the superficial layer of the supinator m. was carried out on 106 elbow-joint dissections. A classification of the structure was drawn up in order to discern the criteria for normality. An arcade of a tendinous nature ("arcade of Fröhse") was encountered in the majority of cases (64.1%). At first sight, it could not be ascribed a compressive role affecting the posterior branch of the radial n. Macroscopic examination of the nerve prior to its entry under the supinator arcade revealed the presence of macroscopic lesions in 42.9% of cases. This high incidence does not permit any conclusions regarding the pathologic significance of this type of lesion.