Anatomical investigation of position of crossing of superficial branch of radial nerve and cephalic vein and its frequency

DOI
  • Mukai Kanae
    Faculty of Health Sciences, Institute of Medical, Pharmaceutical and Health Sciences, Kanazawa University
  • Komatsu Emi
    Department of Clinical Nursing, Graduate Course of Nursing Science, Division of Health Sciences, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kanazawa University
  • Urai Tamae
    Department of Clinical Nursing, Graduate Course of Nursing Science, Division of Health Sciences, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kanazawa University
  • Nakajima Yukari
    Department of Clinical Nursing, Graduate Course of Nursing Science, Division of Health Sciences, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kanazawa University
  • Asano Kimi
    Department of Clinical Nursing, Graduate Course of Nursing Science, Division of Health Sciences, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kanazawa University
  • Ozaki Noriyuki
    Department of Functional Anatomy, Faculty of Health Sciences, Institute of Medical, Pharmaceutical and Health Sciences, Kanazawa University
  • Nakatani Toshio
    Faculty of Health Sciences, Institute of Medical, Pharmaceutical and Health Sciences, Kanazawa University

Bibliographic Information

Other Title
  • 橈骨神経浅枝と橈側皮静脈の交叉の位置と頻度の解剖学的調査

Search this article

Abstract

Background: The cephalic vein at the wrist is selected as a suitable site for venipuncture owing to its anatomical characteristics. However, recent anatomical research has shown that a procedure at the cephalic vein at the wrist requires care. Therefore, in order to prevent iatrogenic injury of the superficial branch of the radial nerve (SBRN), it is necessary to accumulate detailed anatomical data.  Objective: To clarify the crossing of the SBRN and the cephalic vein near the wrist in order to avoid injury of the SBRN during venipuncture.  Design: An observational study.  Setting and Participants: Twenty-eight right hands, wrists, and forearms of 28 formalin-fixed human cadavers, which were used for education at Kanazawa University in 2014. Data collection was performed at a dissection practice room at Kanazawa University.  Method: The cadavers were dissected carefully to examine the anatomy of the SBRN and cephalic vein in detail.  Results: The forearm length from the lateral epicondyle (LE) to the styloid process of the radius (SP) (LE-SP) was 22.3 ± 1.7 cm. The SBRN emerged from under the brachioradialis muscle 6.7 ± 0.8 cm proximal to the SP (SBRN-SP), and SBRN-SP / LE-SP was 30.0 ± 3.3%. The frequencies of crossing of the SBRN and the cephalic vein were 62.6% at a point proximal to the SP, 17.1% at a point distal to the SP, and 14.3% on the SP. The cephalic vein always ran over the superficial layer rather than SBRN. The ratio of SBRN width / cephalic vein width was 0.88 ± 0.31.  Conclusion: Therefore, it is indicated that, when we perform venipuncture at one-third of the length of the forearm, we must recognize that there is a risk of nerve injury owing to a high crossing frequency, and care is needed to avoid penetrating the cephalic vein.

Journal

  • Structure and Function

    Structure and Function 14 (1), 3-11, 2015

    Co-medical Research Society of Structure and Function

Keywords

Details 詳細情報について

Report a problem

Back to top