Low origin of the radial artery: a case study including a review of literature and proposal of an embryological explanation

摘要

A low origin of the radial artery is a rare anatomical variation, with the incidence estimated at 0.2 %. This report presents a previously unrecorded case of an unusual distal origin of the radial artery, co-occurring with a double recurrent radial artery. The radial artery arose under the pronator teres muscle, 76 mm below the intercondylar line of the humerus. After emerging from under the tendon of the pronator teres muscle, the radial artery took a typical course and terminated in the deep palmar arch. Additionally, the double radial recurrent artery branched directly off the brachial artery, near the level of the radial neck. A well-developed muscular branch of the first radial recurrent artery ran beneath the brachio-radialis muscle and supplied the brachioradialis, extensor carpi radialis longus and brevis, as well as supinator muscles.