An unusual topographic relationship between high origin of superficial ulnar artery and bitendinous palmaris longus

The ulnar artery usually arises from the brachial artery at the cubital fossa. It descends beneath the flexor carpi ulnaris in the forearm and then terminates at the wrist joint by forming the superficial palmar arch with the contributory radial artery. In the present study, we report a more proximal origin of ulnar artery presenting a superficial course in the lower portion of the upper extremity, termed superficial ulnar artery. Interestingly, this artery lies superficially to a bitendinous palmaris longus, a variant muscle in the forearm. The relation between arterial and muscular variations may be useful during clinical procedures such as angiography, forearm flap and tendon grafting as well as avoiding accidental intra-arterial injection.