Arterial, neural and muscular variations in the upper limbs of a single cadaver

Arterial, neural and muscular variations were observed in both upper limbs of a female adult cadaver during routine student dissection. Two superficial radial arteries were observed, which originated from the brachial and axillary arteries in the left and right upper limbs respectively. In the right upper limb, an ulnar nerve with a lateral root from the lateral cord of the brachial plexus in the axilla and, in the left forearm, an accessory muscle belly inserting into the muscle belly of the flexor digitorum superficialis were also observed. Formation of these variations is discussed on the basis of the embryological development of the upper limb structures. The clinical importance of the variations is emphasized.