Case Report: Multiple anatomical variations in the arm in an Indian case

Abstract

Variations in the arm have clinical implications as this region is a frequent site of injury and also useful in many invasive procedures. During routine dissection, we observed an unusual combination of anatomical variations in the right arm of a 55-year-old male cadaver. In this arm, the musculocutaneous nerve was absent and its regular branches to the muscles of the and the cutaneous nerve were arising directly from the lateral cord of brachial plexus and also from the median nerve. In the same arm, we also found a common trunk from the brachial artery for the posterior circumflex humeral, radial collateral and posterior descending branches of profunda brachii artery. Additionally, a small slip of accessory fibers of biceps brachii was found arising from the main bulk of the muscle and inserted on to the deep fascia of the lateral cubital region. We present multiple variations in the same limb some of which have not been reported yet. Awareness of these rare variations is therefore necessary to avoid complications during radiodiagnostic and surgical procedures.

Keywords: Musculocutaneous nerve, Biceps brachii, Brachial artery, Posterior circumflex humeral artery.