OBJECTIVE: to realize an anatomic study of middle collateral artery, analysing your frequency, origin and possibility of use of lateral flap in extended arm with prolongate pedicle in "Y-V" retrograde flow. MATERIALS AND METHODS: were dissected thirteen arms of thirteen male cadavers, extracting humerus length, origin of middle collateral artery, length of middle collateral artery, from your origin until the lateral triceps and the diameter of artery. RESULTS: were observed a presency of middle collateral artery in all members, the average leght of humerus was 31,89 cm. In 61,5% of cases, the middle collateral artery origined of the posterior radial collateral artery, while in 38,5% the origim was in the deep brachial artery. The length of the middle collateral artery was shade between 3,2 and 6,8 cm (average of 4,97). The diameter average was 1,27mm. CONCLUSION: the middle collateral artery was constant, in the greater number of cases the origin was in the posterior radial collateral artery, became viable the clinic apply of lateral arm flap extended with retrograde blood flow with prolongate pedicle in "Y-V".
Wound and injuries; Anatomy, regional; Arm
