The deep brachial artery—A meta‐analysis of its origin and diameter with a review of the literature

Abstract

The deep brachial artery (DBA) is the first and largest branch of the brachial artery. Multiple variations of the DBA's origin, termination, and diameter have been reported in the literature. Major online medical databases such as PubMed, Scopus, Embase, Web of Science, and Google Scholar were searched in order to find all studies considering origin variations and the diameter of the DBA. The prevalence of the DBA originating directly from the axillary or brachial artery was shown to be 92.87%. DBA originating indirectly from the axillary or brachial artery, as a common trunk with other arteries, was found to be 7.13%. The mean diameter of the DBA was shown to be 2.05 mm. The authors of the present study believe that this is the most accurate and up-to-date meta-analysis considering origin patterns and the diameter of the DBA. Additionally, this study contains a comprehensive literature review in which current detailed anatomical knowledge concerning the DBA was gathered. The results of this study could provide a helpful tool for physicians, especially surgeons, dealing with an upper limb in their daily practice.

Bilateral absence of the deep brachial artery

“…Multiple studies have discussed the origin of the DBA. However, in a meta-analysis conducted by Przybycien et al, it was stated that the said artery originated most frequently (92.87%) directly from the AA or from the BA [12]. Variations included in this cohort were also cases of multiple DBAs (double, triple, etc.).…”

“…The saids vessel are responsible for the blood supply of the developing limb and terminal plexus of the future hand. Subsequently, the brachial, axillary, and anterior interosseous arteries develop from the axial artery [12,14,15]. The axillary and brachial arteries develop during the 16th and 17th stage of the embryological development [16].…”

“…During routine dissection, a 71-year-old male cadaver with a bilateral abnormality in the DBA and its branches was found. Despite the currently adapted normal anatomy of the DBA [12,14], the said vessel was absent.…”

“…One of these branches is the radial collateral artery which, together with the radial nerve, passes through the lateral intermuscular septum and terminates by anastomosing with the radial recurrent artery. The second branch arising from the DBA is the middle collateral artery which anastomoses with the recurrent interosseous artery [11,12,14]. The DBA is involved in periarticular arterial anastomosis, which is located around the elbow joint.…”

“…Variations of the arterial system are frequently observed by medical professionals of many distinct specialties worldwide and oftentimes influence the daily clinical practice in the form of treatment options [18]. Having appropriate knowledge concerning the variable anatomy of the DBA is of immense importance when performing procedures such as the lateral forearm flap, cerclage wiring of the humeral diaphysis, and open subpectoral biceps tenodesis, amongst others [12,14,15]. Therefore, the aim of the following study was to present and comprehensively describe a case of a bilateral absence of the DBA.…”