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Variations in the subclavian-axillary arterial system.
Muhammad Saeed1, Amin A. Rufai, Salah E. Elsayed
1Department of Anatomy, College of Medicine & KKUH, King Saud University, PO Box 2925, Riyadh 11461, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Tel. +966 (1) 4825922/4672545. Fax. +966 (1) 4671300. E-mail: shafi@ksu.edu.sa/ msaeedshafi@hotmail.com
Saudi Medical Journal
|April 9, 2002
Summary
Anatomical variations in the subclavian axillary arterial system are common. This study found anomalies in 7.5% of cadavers, including aberrant right subclavian artery and variant axillary artery branching patterns.
Area of Science:
- Anatomy
- Vascular Anatomy
- Human Anatomy
Background:
- Arterial variations in the upper extremities are frequently encountered.
- These anomalies can occur at various anatomical locations, including the thoracic outlet, axilla, arm, cubital fossa, and hand.
Purpose of the Study:
- To document and analyze variations in the subclavian axillary arterial system.
- To investigate the prevalence and types of anomalous arterial patterns in the upper limb.
Main Methods:
- A morphological study was conducted on 106 formalin-fixed upper limbs from adult human cadavers.
- The dissection was performed over a five-year period at the human anatomy laboratory of King Saud University.
Main Results:
- Anomalous topographic patterns of the subclavian axillary arterial system were observed in 7.5% of the specimens.
- Identified variations included an aberrant right subclavian artery, bilateral common subscapular-circumflex humeral trunks, and bilateral thoracohumeral trunks.
- Associated anomalies included abnormal muscle insertions and median nerve formation.
Conclusions:
- Variant branching patterns of the subclavian axillary arterial system are clinically significant for anatomists, surgeons, and radiologists.
- Pre-operative evaluation of these vascular anomalies is recommended to prevent surgical complications.