High origin and superficial course of radial artery

The aim of the present study is to report the variation of the radial artery in its origin and superficial course. During routine dissection in the Department of Anatomy, Narayana Medical College, Nellore, a higher bifurcation of radial artery, the brachio-radial from the brachial artery on right side upper limb of a male cadaver was observed. Since the brachio-radial artery was superficial throughout its course till it reached the palm it is known as superficial brachio-radial artery. The incidence of this type of vascular pattern can be a result of developmental anomaly during the formation of blood vessels of the upper limb. Arterial variations of the upper limb are more common and have long received the attention of clinicians and vascular surgeons during diagnostic purposes.