Anatomical study of arcade of Struthers

Hand Surg. 2010;15(3):157-9. doi: 10.1142/S0218810410004941.

Abstract

The incidence and the anatomical location of the arcade of Struthers as related to the arm length were studied in 62 arms of adult fresh-frozen cadavers. The distance between the greater tuberosity and the lateral epicondyle was designated as the arm length. The arcades of Struthers were identified in 85.4%. The mean arm length was 27.85 ± 1.3 cm. The mean of the distance between proximal border of the arcade of Struthers and the medial humeral epicondyle was 8.24 ± 2.06 cm. The mean ratio between the distance from the proximal border of the arcade to the tip of the medial epicondyle and arm length was 0.29 ± 0.07. We concluded that the anatomical location of the arcade as related to the arm length was 29% proximally, from the tip of the medial epicondyle. This report of the anatomical location of the arcade of Struthers related to the arm length can be useful to identify this structure in the arms which have differences in arm length during the surgical exploration and anterior transposition of the ulnar nerve procedures.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Arm / anatomy & histology*
  • Cadaver
  • Fascia / anatomy & histology*
  • Humans
  • Ulnar Nerve / anatomy & histology
  • Ulnar Nerve / surgery*