A STUDY ON TORTUOUS COURSE OF PERIPHERAL ARTERIES OF UPPER EXTREMITY AND ITS EMBRYOLOGICAL, HISTOLOGICAL AND CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE.

TITLE: a study on tortuous course of peripheral arteries of upper extremity and its embryological, histological and clinical significance Introduction: Tortuous course of arteries is usually observed in areas where there is a need for uninterrupted blood supply to mobile organs like spleen and uterus. The tortuous course of peripheral arteries is not uncommon. They may be asymptomatic. Materials and methods: Out of 18 bodies [36 limbs on both sides], an elderly female cadaver of South Indian origin showed a bilateral tortuosity of brachial, radial and ulnar arteries during the routine undergraduate dissections in the Department of Anatomy, Mamata Medical College, Khammam, Telangana state. Histological specimens of the Brachial, Radial and Ulnar arteries were taken and stained with hematoxylin and eosin. The slides were observed for any changes in the vessel wall. Results: tortuous course in brachial artery and its terminal branches were observed on both sides. The entire course of brachial artery is tortuous. The radial artery showed tortuosity in proximal third and distal third whereas the tortuosity of ulnar artery is confined to proximal third. Stained histological specimens of the Brachial, Radial and Ulnar arteries showed sclerotic changes tunica media. Conclusion: Trans-radial approach in coronary angiography is gaining acceptance over trans-femoral coronary angiography. Its accessible site and early patient ambulation are factors for its increasing acceptance. Tortuous course of brachial and radial arteries affect the procedure time of Trans-radial coronary angiography and sometimes may lead to perforation. Detailed knowledge of variations in the normal anatomy of brachial and radial arteries is necessary for cardiologists during performance of the procedure.