A radial artery originating from the thoracoacromial artery.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this case report is to report a rare vascular variation in the upper limbs because of its clinical importance and embryological implication.


METHODS
During the educational dissection of a 73-year-old Korean male cadaver`s right upper limb, we found a variant branch which is originated from the thoracoacromial artery.


RESULTS
The variant branch from the thoracoacromial artery ran to the distal forearm in the deep fascia. Because it finally coursed like the radial artery in the forearm and the palm, we defined the variant artery as superficial brachioradial artery (SBRA). In the cubital region a little below the intercondylar line, the brachial artery gave off a small communicating branch to SBRA, and continued as the ulnar artery.


CONCLUSIONS
We reported this unique variation and discussed its clinical and embryological implication.
Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, Keimyung University, 2800, Dalgubeol-daero, Dalseo-Gu, Daegu, Republic of Korea.
Hyunsu
H
Lee
Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, Catholic University, Daegu, Republic of Korea.
Yong-Suk
YS
Moon
Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, Keimyung University, 2800, Dalgubeol-daero, Dalseo-Gu, Daegu, Republic of Korea.
Hyo Seok
HS
Park
Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, Catholic University, Daegu, Republic of Korea.
Hong-Tae
HT
Kim
Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, Keimyung University, 2800, Dalgubeol-daero, Dalseo-Gu, Daegu, Republic of Korea. anato82@dsmc.or.kr.
In-Jang
IJ
Choi
D000368:Aged; D063405:Anatomic Variation; D001366:Axillary Artery / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000196:embryology; D001916:Brachial Artery / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000196:embryology; D002102:Cadaver; D004210:Dissection; D004550:Elbow / Q000098:blood supply; D005205:Fascia / Q000098:blood supply; D005542:Forearm / Q000098:blood supply; D006225:Hand / Q000098:blood supply; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D017534:Radial Artery / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000196:embryology; D017535:Ulnar Artery / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000196:embryology
Anatomical variation; Brachial artery; Radial artery; Thoracoacromial artery; Upper limb