The arcade of Struthers: an anatomical study and clinical implications☆

Forty arms from 26 cadaver specimens were dissected in the Anatomy Laboratory of this institution. The extension of the arcade, distance from the medial epicondyle, and relation with ulnar nerve were recorded.

RESULTS:

The arcade of Struthers was identified in 40 dissected arms (100%). In 29 (72.5%) the ulnar nerve was covered by a muscular arcade, in nine (22.5%) by an aponeurotic arcade, and in two (5%) the arcade was beneath the ulnar nerve. The extension of the arcade ranged from 3.0 to 7.5 cm, and the distance from the medial epicondyle ranged from 2.5 to 7.0 cm.

CONCLUSION:

The arcade of Struthers is a musculoaponeurotic canal that represents an important site of entrapment or compression of the ulnar nerve. The arcade, the intermuscular septum, and the internal brachial ligament should be released in patients submitted to ulnar nerve anterior transposition surgery.

Keywords:
Arm/anatomy & histology; Cadaver; Ulnar nerve

Sociedade Brasileira de Ortopedia e Traumatologia Al. Lorena, 427 14º andar, 01424-000 São Paulo - SP - Brasil, Tel.: 55 11 2137-5400 - São Paulo - SP - Brazil
E-mail: rbo@sbot.org.br

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[1] * Corresponding author. E-mail: ediecaetano@uol.com.br (E.B. Caetano).

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The arcade of Struthers: an anatomical study and clinical implications☆ ☆ Study conducted at the Pontifícia Universidade Católica de São Paulo, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas e da Saúde, Departamento de Cirurgia, Sorocaba, SP, Brazil.

ABSTRACT

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The arcade of Struthers: an anatomical study and clinical implications^☆ ☆ Study conducted at the Pontifícia Universidade Católica de São Paulo, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas e da Saúde, Departamento de Cirurgia, Sorocaba, SP, Brazil.