Rare combined variations of the axillary artery: superficial ulnar artery and circumflex humeral arteries.

Abstract

The variations in the branching pattern of the axillary artery are clinically significant. We report an extremely rare combination of arterial variations discovered during the routine anatomical dissection of the left upper limb in a 73-year-old male cadaver. The most significant findings were a superficial ulnar artery originating directly from the axillary artery, proximal to the ansa pectoralis. The superficial ulnar artery coursed superficially in the forearm and terminated as the primary contribution to the superficial palmar arch. Additionally, a common trunk for the circumflex scapular and thoracodorsal arteries arose directly from the axillary artery. Finally, the anterior circumflex humeral artery and posterior circumflex humeral artery arose from a common trunk originating from the deep brachial artery. The posterior circumflex humeral artery passed through the triangular interval bordered by the teres major, long head of the triceps brachii, and humerus. A common trunk for the circumflex scapular and thoracodorsal arteries arose directly from the axillary artery, separate from the subscapular artery. The superficial course of the superficial ulnar artery and the atypical posterior circumflex humeral artery course increase the risk of iatrogenic injury during shoulder and arm surgeries.