A cadaveric morphometric analysis of the deep brachial artery

The primary aim of this study was to conduct precise measurements of the deep brachial artery (DBA) on cadaveric upper-limb specimens. A comprehensive understanding of DBA anatomy and its variations is essential for reconstructive procedures involving musculocutaneous flaps in the posterior arm, as well as for angiographic diagnostics and trauma surgery.

The examined upper limbs were obtained from 25 cadavers. Both right and left upper limbs were subjected to dissection. The parameters assessed included the DBA diameter at its origin, DBA diameter at the point of bifurcation, and its total length. Additionally, anatomical landmarks, including the greater tubercle of the humerus and the olecranon, were identified as reference points for the conducted measurements.

The DBA length ranged from 1.41 mm to 135.16 mm, with a median value of 57.64 mm. The initial DBA diameter was between 1.74 mm and 4.22 mm, with an average of 2.86 mm. The median DBA diameter at the point of its division into the middle collateral and radial collateral arteries was 1.90 mm. The median DBA length was 72.31 mm in females and 57.30 mm in males. The mean initial DBA diameter was 2.75 mm in females and 2.90 mm in males.

This study provides a comprehensive anatomical analysis of the deep brachial artery (DBA), confirming its variable origin and morphometric parameters. The measurements presented in this study, including DBA diameters, total length, and variations by laterality and sex, contribute valuable data to the existing literature. The anatomical landmarks used in the study, such as the greater tubercle of the humerus and the olecranon process, enhance the ability to locate the DBA for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes.

The study's findings have practical implications for surgical and clinical applications, particularly in reconstructive procedures involving musculocutaneous flaps in the posterior arm.