Brachial artery bifurcation

It is important for surgeons and anatomists to have an understanding of thickness, diameter and variability of the brachial artery in the upper limb. As the variability of the brachial artery presents, the possibility of frequent vascular injury needs to be considered during a number of surgical and invasive procedures. Objective: The present study aims to perform a morphometric assessment of brachial artery with respect to clinical implication of its high termination and correlate it with its embryological basis. Methods: Routine dissections of the right and left upper limbs of 36 adult cadavers were done and observed for variations in the branching pattern of brachial artery. The measurement of brachial artery and its level of termination were taken at two levels. The internal and external diameters of the brachial artery along with the thickness of the brachial artery were measured at three different levels. Results: The higher division of termination of brachial artery into ulnar and radial artery was found at mid-arm level. The average length of brachial artery on right and left side was side was 23.39 cm and 22.36 cm respectively. The internal and external diameter of brachial artery was significantly larger on right side than left. In addition, the thickness of the middle part of brachial artery on left side was significantly (P<0.05) larger than the right side. Conclusions: The present study will enhance clinician’s awareness of potential arterial variations and morphometric assessment of brachial artery will help clinicians and surgeons for more accurate diagnostic evaluation and surgical management of vascular injuries and diseases.