Arterial, neural and muscular variations in the upper limbs of a single cadaver

Arterial, neural and muscular variations were observed in both upper limbs of a female adult cadaver during routine student dissection. Two superficia l radial arteries were observed, which originated from the brachial and axi llary arteries in the left and right upper limbs respectively. In the right upper limb, an ulnar nerve with a lateral root from the lateral cord of th e brachial plexus in the axilla and, in the left forearm, an accessory musc le belly inserting into the muscle belly of the flexor digitorum superficia lis were also observed. Formation of these variations is discussed on the b asis of the embryological development of the upper limb structures. The cli nical importance of the variations is emphasized.