Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 29, 2026
08:11
Vascularized Composite Upper Limb Allograft Harvesting for Proximal Arm Allotransplantation
Published on: June 13, 2025
Multiple accessory structures in the upper limb of a single cadaver
V R Vollala1, S Nagabhooshana, S M Bhat
1Department of Anatomy, Melaka Manipal Medical College, Manipal University, Manipal 576104, Karnataka, India. ramana.anat@gmail.com
Singapore Medical Journal
|October 3, 2008
Summary
Anatomical variations in the upper limb, including a third head of the biceps brachii and a persistent median artery, were found in a single cadaver. This rare combination of anomalies highlights the need for surgical awareness.
Area of Science:
- Anatomy
- Surgical Anatomy
- Human Morphology
Background:
- Anatomical variations of upper limb muscles and arteries are clinically significant for surgical procedures.
- While anomalies of the biceps brachii, accessory forearm muscles, and persistent median artery are documented, coracobrachialis muscle anomalies are rare.
Observation:
- Routine dissection of a 50-year-old male cadaver revealed unilateral anatomical variations.
- Observed anomalies included a third head of the biceps brachii, an accessory coracobrachialis belly (coracoulnaris), a persistent median artery, and an additional anterior forearm muscle.
Findings:
- A unique combination of upper limb anomalies was identified in a single cadaver.
- The accessory coracoulnaris muscle originated from the coracobrachialis, crossed neurovascular structures, and inserted with the triceps brachii medial head.
Implications:
- Awareness of this specific combination of variations is crucial for surgeons and radiologists.
- Recognizing these anomalies can prevent intraoperative complications and misinterpretation of diagnostic imaging in the upper limb.
Related Concept Videos
01:19Bones of the Upper Limb: Humerus
The upper limb consists of the arm, forearm, wrist, and hand bones. The humerus is the single bone of the upper arm region. Proximally, it has a large, spherical, smooth head that articulates with the glenoid cavity of the scapula to form the glenohumeral or shoulder joint. The margin of the head is the anatomical neck, a residual epiphyseal plate. Laterally it extends to form bony projections called the greater tubercle and the lesser tubercle. Next to the tubercles is the surgical neck, a...
01:15Bones of the Upper Limb: Ulna
The ulna and radius are parallel bones of the antebrachium or the forearm. The ulna lies medially and consists of a bony tip called the olecranon process at its proximal end. This hook-like projection articulates with the olecranon fossa of the humerus and forms the "hinged" ulnohumeral part of the elbow joint. This joint facilitates forearm extension and flexion while preventing its hyperextension. Similarly, the coronoid process, another bony projection on the proximal/anterior side of the...
01:09Bones of the Upper Limb: Radius
The radius is longer of the two bones that make up the human antebrachium or forearm. At the proximal end, the radius articulates with the capitulum of the humerus and the radial notch of the ulna to form the elbow joint. At the distal end, the radius articulates with the ulna via the ulnar notch, forming the distal radioulnar joint. Distally, the radius also attaches to the carpal wrist bones (scaphoid and lunate) to form the radiocarpal joint.
The radius has a nail-shaped head, and a short...
The radius has a nail-shaped head, and a short...
01:12Arteries of the Upper Limbs
The subclavian artery transitions into the axillary artery as it exits the chest and enters the axillary region. This artery is critical for supplying blood to the shoulder area, including the head of the humerus, through the humeral circumflex arteries. As the vessel continues into the upper arm or brachium, it becomes the brachial artery. This artery plays a key role in vascularizing the brachial region and bifurcates at the elbow into several branches. These branches include the deep...
01:09Overview of the Axial Skeleton
The skeleton is subdivided into two major divisions—the axial skeleton and the appendicular skeleton. The axial skeleton forms the vertical, central axis of the body. It includes all of the bones of the head, neck, chest, and back. It protects the brain, spinal cord, heart, and lungs. It also serves as the attachment site for muscles that move the head, neck, and back and for muscles that act across the shoulder and hip joints to move their corresponding limbs.
The axial skeleton of the adult...
The axial skeleton of the adult...
01:09Changes in the Appendicular Skeleton with Age
The upper and lower limb initially develops as a small bulge called a limb bud, which appears on the lateral side of the early embryo. The upper limb bud appears near the end of the fourth week of development, with the lower limb bud appearing shortly after.
Initially, the limb buds consist of a core of mesenchyme covered by a layer of ectoderm. The ectoderm at the end of the limb bud thickens to form a narrow crest called the apical ectodermal ridge. This ridge stimulates the underlying...
Initially, the limb buds consist of a core of mesenchyme covered by a layer of ectoderm. The ectoderm at the end of the limb bud thickens to form a narrow crest called the apical ectodermal ridge. This ridge stimulates the underlying...