Variation in origin and course of brachial artery among black African population: Cadaveric study in Western Kenya

Abstract

Background: Brachial artery (BA) is the main arterial supply to upper limb, it’s a direct continuation of axillary artery at the lower border of teres major and gives of profunda brachii which is the largest branch, superior ulnar collateral artery, inferior ulnar collateral artery, nutrient artery and muscular branches. BA presents with a lot of anatomical variants as reported by several authors though there is paucity of data on this variant anatomy among black African population. The current study evaluated variation in origin and course of brachial artery among black African population.

Methodology: This descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out in three universities, in western Kenya due to their well-established functional Human Anatomy laboratory used by medical students. The study involved 77 cadavers (n=154 upper limbs) of 39 males and 38 females obtained through stratified sampling technique. Data collected was collated in excel sheet and analyzed using statistical package of social sciences (SPSS) version 26.0. Descriptive statistics was used to assess frequency distribution of variant origin while Chi square was used to determine difference in proportion of normal origin and cumulative variation of BA regards with to laterality of the upper limb. Brachium region was exposed to access the brachial artery where origin and its course was assessed.

Results: Out of 154 upper limbs examined 3.8% had variation in origin of brachial artery, 2.6% showed superficial origin and superficial course of brachial artery terminating into its terminal branches. However, this variation was not statistically significant.

Conclusion: There were variations in origin of brachial artery among black African population, these variations were more on the right upper limb than the left upper limb, though not statistically significant but clinically significant, hence health care professionals, anatomists and medical students should be made aware of such variants when performing invasive procedures to avoid complications, misdiagnosis and any medical errors that might occur as a result of such variants. Understanding existence of such variants leads to good patient care and outcome after surgical and radiological procedures thus reducing misdiagnosis and mismanagement of patients.