Prevalence and Morphological Variations of the Persistent Median Artery: A Descriptive Study in a South Indian Population.

Introduction: The median artery typically originates as a branch of the anterior interosseous artery. In its normal configuration, it is a small vessel that passes laterally between the flexor digitorum profundus and flexor pollicis longus muscles to reach the median nerve. From an embryological perspective, the median artery represents a remnant of the original axial arterial stem that extends into the limb. The persistence of this embryonic arterial pattern into adulthood, known as a persistent median artery (PMA), is an anatomical variation that has been the subject of numerous studies. The prevalence of PMA has been increasing over time, suggesting a potential microevolutionary change in the human population. Aim of the study: This study aims to investigate the prevalence and types of persistent median artery in a sample population from Pondicherry, India. Material and Methods: A total of 40 upper limb specimens from 12 cadavers and 16 separate upper limbs were included in the investigation. A vessel accompanying median nerve is considered a median artery. The frequency, origin, termination, type and relation to median nerve and anterior interosseous nerve were noted. Results: The presence of PMA was observed in seven forearms (17.5%), with a slight predilection for the left side (n=4). Common and anterior interosseous arteries are the source of PMA. All the PMA are of antebrachial type and none of them reached the palmar arches.Notably one PMA crossed the anterior interosseous nerve anteriorly and the other one posteriorly. Conclusion: Knowledge of the prevalence and anatomical variations of PMA is crucial for clinicians, as it can have significant implications in the diagnosis and management of carpal tunnel syndrome and other wrist pathologies. Additionally, awareness of PMA is essential for surgeons performing procedures in the carpal tunnel region to avoid potential complications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]