DR. GREEN’S 
 
 VARIETIES IN THE ARTERIAL SYSTEM 
 
 OF THE HUMAN BODY. 
 
 SF.l’FN PLATES. FOLK SHILLINGS, 
 
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From the Library of 
 
 CARLETON B. CHAPMAN, M. D. 
 
Digitized by the Internet Archive 
 in 2016 
 
 https://archive.org/details/accountofvarieti01gree 
 
VARIETIES IN THE ARTERIAL SYSTEM 
 
 OF THE HUMAN BODY. 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
AN ACCOUNT 
 
 OF THE VARIETIES 
 
 IN THE ARTERIAL SYSTEM 
 
 THE HUMAN BODY. 
 
 BY P. H. GREEN, A. B., M. B. 
 
 TRINITY COLLEGE, DUBLIN. 
 
 
 ILLUSTRATED BY PLATES. 
 
 LIBRARY 2 
 
 & 
 
 
 DUBLIN : 
 
 JAMES MARSHALL LECKIE, 
 
 II, GRAFTON STREET. 
 
 MDCCCXXX. 
 
G>reen 
 
 THOMAS I. WHITE, PRINTER, ABBEY STREET. 
 
ADVERTISEMENT. 
 
 The object of the present work is to draw the attention of 
 the Medical profession, to a branch of Anatomical knowledge, 
 which has been hitherto almost overlooked in these countries. 
 In proportion to the study bestowed on the Varieties in the 
 Arterial System, they are found to be more numerous, and of 
 more frequent occurrence; the subject, therefore, daily requires 
 more interest and importance, not merely from constituting a 
 curious part of the history of the structure of the human body, 
 but from its great practical utility in Operative Surgery. It 
 has been calculated by Meckel, that some deviation in the origin 
 of the primary branches from the Arch of the Aorta, occurs 
 once in eight times.* — I am convinced, by a careful examination 
 of a great number of dead bodies, that varieties of the principal 
 arteries in the upper extremity, exist at least as often as once in 
 every four individuals — the variety which occurs most frequently 
 in the human body, affects in a very important manner, the 
 commonest operation in surgery, I mean venesection. I have 
 so often seen the radial artery (and in some instances the 
 ulnar), when it arises from the brachial or the axillary, pass 
 almost directly over the place in which the operation of bleeding 
 is performed, that it has been to me matter of much surprise, 
 how the vessel has not been more frequently injured. The 
 origin of the left carotid from the innominata is another irre- 
 
 J. F. Meckel, Manuel d’Anat. t. ii. p. 318. 
 
VI 
 
 gularity, by no means very unfrequent. In this case, the 
 vessel usually crosses, in front of the trachea, to the left side 
 of the body, the possibility of such an occurrence every surgeon 
 should he acquainted with, before he attempts the operation of 
 tracheotomy. 
 
 Varieties in the arterial system appear to he regulated by the 
 same laws which govern irregularities of structure in other parts 
 of the body. These are frequently nothing hut the union of 
 parts naturally separate, or the separation of parts naturally 
 united. This ride is illustrated by many varieties of the arch ; 
 as the separate origins of the right carotid and subclavian ; or 
 the union of the left carotid and subclavian to form an innomi- 
 nata on the left side. Another law, more general in its opera- 
 tion, is, that departures from the general mode of formation 
 are imitations of the structure in animals, particularly in the 
 monkey tribe. In the muscular system, although deviations 
 are extremely rare, this analogy is striking : thus the absence of 
 the gemini and the gastrocnemii ; the occurrence of three supina- 
 tors ; the double pronator teres ; the accessory psoas parvus, 
 and the extension of the rectus abdominis on the chest, are imi- 
 tations of the structure in the monkey. Analogous to the struc- 
 ture in birds, have been found a third pectoral muscle, a double 
 rectus lateralis, and the biceps separated into three distinct 
 muscles. Many other examples might be enumerated, which 
 tend to prove that one great scheme of structure pervades the 
 animal kingdom, and that varieties are not occurrences of chance, 
 but the adoption of one mode of formation instead of another. 
 An attempt has been made, in the following work, to reduce 
 the varieties of the arterial system under this ride : those who are 
 better acquainted with the structure of animals will, I hope, be 
 able to perceive many analogies which have escaped my notice. 
 An interesting circumstance connected with the history of these 
 irregularities is, that we have reason to suspect they are some- 
 times hereditary. Pelletan (Clin. Chirur. t. i. p. 101, 2,) men- 
 tions a case corroborative of this opinion : the anterior tibial 
 artery ran superficially along the front of the leg, in both a 
 father and daughter. 
 
Vll 
 
 When I commenced the description of the variations in the 
 arterial system, I had intended to give accompanying outlines 
 of all the deviations ; hut the publication of the plates of Tiede- 
 mann by Dr. Knox has rendered it unnecessary. I have there- 
 fore confined myself to the delineation of such varieties as have 
 not hitherto been published ; or, if known, have not, as far as I 
 am acquainted, been exhibited in drawing. Dr. Macartney has, 
 with much liberality, permitted me the use of the valuable 
 Cabinet of Varieties of Arteries in his museum : from these, or 
 recent dissection, the outline drawings have been taken by my 
 friend, Mr. Gilgeous, to whom I feel greatly indebted. 
 
 Trinity College, 
 April 7 , 1830 . 
 
VARIETIES OF THE ARCH OF THE AORTA, 
 
 AND OF THE VESSELS ARISING FROM THE ARCH. 
 
 The trunk of the great vessel called aorta arises from the 
 superior part of the left ventricle, and, having first ascended 
 a little towards the right, behind the pulmonary artery, it passes 
 over the inferior extremity of the trachea, in a curved manner, 
 from the right to the left side. This curve, or arch of the aorta, 
 is placed in front of the third and fourth dorsal vertebrae. The 
 vessel continues its course along the left side of the spine, but 
 as it descends it inclines gradually to the right, until, in front of 
 the fifth lumbar vertebra, the division into primary iliacs takes 
 place. From the arch of the aorta usually arise three great 
 vessels, the arteria innominata, the left carotid, and the left 
 subclavian. This distribution I believe to he very constant : in 
 the great number of bodies which I have examined, but few 
 deviations have presented themselves to me. Varieties of the 
 arch of the aorta may he divided into varieties with three primary 
 branches ; with four ; with five ; with six branches ; and, finally, 
 with a diminished number of primary branches, which, however, 
 are never less than two. Besides these, there are some anoma- 
 lies in the course and formation of the arch itself, which may 
 first be enumerated briefly. The arch of the aorta we have 
 
 B 
 
2 
 
 described as crossing, from right to left, in front of the trachea, 
 a little above its division ; yet sometimes, though very rarely, 
 we find a departure from this distribution, the aorta shewing a 
 tendency to the right side of the spine. The first appearance of 
 this disposition is the aorta passing over the right bronchia only, 
 and being situated in front of the bodies of the vertebrae. 
 Sometimes, although the direction of the arch is from right to 
 left, yet it does not cross the vertebrae, but the thoracic aorta 
 lies altogether on the right side of the spine.* * * § This leads to an 
 anomaly still more rare, in which the direction of the arch is 
 reversed, being from left to right.f In a few instances, it has 
 been observed that the arch lies close on the spine, behind the 
 oesophagus and trachea.^ 
 
 In one remarkable case, the aorta, almost from its root, 
 divided into two branches, one of which passed before, the 
 other behind the oesophagus and trachea ; both trunks imme- 
 diately united to form the descending aorta. § This leads to 
 the following variety, in which the tendency to the division of 
 the aorta is still greater. Here the aorta subdivided into two 
 branches ; each furnished, first a subclavian ; then an external ; 
 and next an internal carotid ; after remaining separate for about 
 four inches, the two branches united for the thoracic aorta. || 
 In this ciu’ious example, the aorta was furnished with five semi- 
 lunar valves, confirming the analogy between it and the double 
 aorta. This is an approach to the distribution in ampliibious 
 animals, in lizards, tortoises, serpents, and frogs. 
 
 In one instance, there was no arch, but the distribution almost 
 perfectly resembled that of animals, for the aorta immediately 
 divided into two branches ; one became the descending aorta ; 
 the other formed a straight ascending trunk, which gave off (in 
 the form of a cross,) a common branch on the right side for the 
 right subclavian and carotid ; on the left side, the left subcla- 
 
 * Meckel. Manual d’Anat. Descript, t. ii. p. 312. 
 
 •J- Philosop. Transact. 1793, p. 60. In this case, the heart was not in its 
 natural situation, and the origin of the great vessels was reversed. 
 
 I J. F. Meckel. Man. d’Anat. t. ii. p. 312. 
 
 § Ilommel. Commerc. litt. Norimberg. 1737, hebd. 21. p. 161. 
 
 || Malacarne. Osservat. in Chirur. Torino, 1785, cap. 6. cum tab. 
 
3 
 
 vian ; the continuation of the straight branch formed the left 
 carotid.* * * § This structure occurs in the horse, ass, sheep, goat, 
 camel, and in many other mammalia, especially in those which 
 have long necks. Hence also arose the old distinction of the 
 aorta into ascending and descending, evidently derived from the 
 dissection of animals. 
 
 VARIETIES WITH THREE PRIMARY TRUNKS. 
 
 1. The two carotids may arise by a common trunk between 
 the two subclavians.f This is the structure in the elephant. 
 
 2. A common trunk for both carotids, one for the left subcla- 
 vian, and one for the right, which arises from the left side of 
 the arch, and passes behind the trachea, or more frequently the 
 oesophagus.^; 
 
 3. A common trunk on the right side, producing the right 
 subclavian and both carotids : next this arose the left vertebral, 
 nearly from the middle of the arch, and lastly the left subclavian.§ 
 
 4. Sometimes the order of vessels is transposed ; that is, we 
 find an innominata on the left side, while the right subclavian 
 and carotid arise by separate trunks. || This distribution is rare. 
 
 5. In still more rare cases, we find the right subclavian, or 
 even the innominata, arising from the descending aorta. In 
 two of these examples which I have seen, the recurrent branch 
 of the pneumo-gastric nerve did not pass round the vessel. In 
 one, the right subclavian passed behind the oesophagus and tra- 
 chea, to the right side. 
 
 The number of branches, arising from the arch of the aorta, 
 may be increased or diminished, by the separation or union of 
 the chief trunks distributed to the head and upper extremities. 
 Thus the carotids, vertebrals, and subclavians may all arise by 
 separate trunks, constituting six primary divisions ; this is the 
 limit of variation. On the other hand, we may find an arteria 
 
 * Klinz. Abhand. der Joseph. Med. Chirur. Akademie. Wien. 1787. 
 
 f Tiedemann. Tab. Arteriar. pi. iii, f. 11. 
 
 I Walter. Mem. de l’Acad. de Berlin. 1785. 
 
 § J. F. Meckel. Manuel d’Anat. Gen. t. ii. p. 322. 
 
 || J. F. Meckel. Manuel d’Anat. Gener. et Des. t. ii. p. 322. 
 
4 
 
 innominata on each side, reducing the number of primary trunks 
 to two. 
 
 VARIETIES WITH FOUR PRIMARY TRUNKS. 
 
 Sometimes the number of primary branches is increased to 
 four. This anomaly may occur in several forms. 
 
 1. The most common is that in which the left vertebral artery 
 arises from the arch, between the left carotid and subclavian.* * * § 
 It is curious, that this variety, which occurs frequently, has 
 been observed on the left side only. It appears, according to 
 the observation of Tiedemann, to be the regular distribution in 
 the phoca vitulina. In the heart of a plioca, preserved in the 
 museum of Dr. Macartney, the left vertebral does not arise from 
 the arch. 
 
 2. The left vertebral also arises from the extremity of the 
 arch, beyond the left subclavian.-]- This form of variety is 
 much more rare than the preceding. 
 
 3. The anomaly which occurs next in frequency to the irre- 
 gular origin of the left vertebral, is the origin of the inferior 
 thyroid from the arch.J This variety usually takes place on the 
 right side, the artery arising between the innominata and the 
 left carotid. 
 
 4. In addition to the three usual branches, we may have the 
 internal mammary, or thymic arteries arising from the arch.§ 
 
 Sometimes the number of primary branches is increased to 
 four by the separation of the innominata into two trunks. This 
 may occur in several ways. 
 
 5. The right subclavian may form the first branch on the right 
 side.|| 
 
 * Morgani. de Sedib. et Causis Morbnr. Epist. 3, Art. 20. Sandifort. 
 Observat. Anat. Pathol, lib. 4, p. 92. 
 
 f J. F. Meckel. Hand, der Pathol. Anat. B. 2, Ab. 1, S. 109. 
 
 | Walter. Memoir de l’Acad. de Berlin, 1785. Tab, 3. fig. 2. Loder. de 
 Nonnnl. Arter. Variet. p. 4. 
 
 § Scemmer. de Corpor. Hum. Fab. t. 5, p. 121. 
 
 || Winslow’s Anatomy, p. 3G. J. F. Meckel. Pathol. Anat. B. 2, Abath. 
 1, S. 107. 
 
5 
 
 6. The right subclavian may arise from the lower part of the 
 arch on the left side, or just above the left subclavian.* 
 
 7. Or it may have its origin between the right and left caro- 
 tids. In one of these cases, the subclavian passed behind the 
 right carotid to the right arm, but more usually it passes before 
 it.f 
 
 8. The right subclavian may be removed still farther towards 
 the left side, arising between the left carotid and subclavian. 
 In this case, also, the right subclavian passed occasionally before, 
 hut sometimes behind both carotids. £ 
 
 9. Sometimes the arch furnishes the four branches in the fol- 
 lowing order : 
 
 Left carotid ; right carotid ; left subclavian ; right subclavian.§ 
 Sometimes we find the vessels arranged thus : 
 
 10. Right carotid ; left carotid ; left subclavian ; right subcla- 
 vian, which makes a curve behind the oesophagus and trachea 
 to the right side. || In some cases, the artery passes between 
 the oesophagus and the trachea. 
 
 1 1. The rarest form of this species of variety is, when the 
 carotids and right subclavian arise by separate trunks, while the 
 left subclavian is the first branch of the arch on the right side.«[j 
 
 VARIETIES WITH FIVE PRIMARY BRANCHES. 
 
 The existence of five trunks, arising from the arch, is still 
 more rare than the varieties already mentioned. The principal 
 forms are : 
 
 1. Besides the three usual trunks, there are the left vertebral 
 and right internal mammary or inferior thyroid.** 
 
 2. The subclavians and carotids by four separate trunks, with 
 a common trunk for the left vertebral and inferior thyroid.f j- 
 
 * Walter. Mem. de l’Acad. de Berlin, 1785, p. 62. 
 
 f Huber. Acta Helvetic, t. 8. p. 75, 
 
 | Walter. Mem. de l’Acad. de Berlin, 1785. Harrison on the Arteries, 
 Dublin, 1829, t. 1, p, 
 
 § J. F. Meckel. Anat. Descrip, t. ii, p. 320. 
 
 || Bsehmer. de Quat. et Quinq, Kamis, &c. 
 
 If J. F. Meckel. Anat. Desc. t. ii, p. 321. 
 
 ** Bsehmer. Obser. Anat. Rar. fas. 1, p. 11. 
 
 ff J. F. Meckel. Anat. Gen. Descrip, t. ii, p. 321. 
 
6 
 
 3. The subclavians and carotids by distinct trunks, with either 
 the left vertebral, or right inferior thyroid. The following spe- 
 cies of this variety have been observed : 
 
 1. Right subclavian ; right carotid ; left carotid ; left verte- 
 bral ; left subclavian.* * * § Or, 
 
 2. Right carotid ; left carotid ; left vertebral ; left subcla- 
 vian ; right subclavian, passing behind the oesophagus and tra- 
 chea to the right side.f 
 
 4. Sometimes the innominata is not separated into two 
 branches, but both vertehrals arise from the arch in this order : 
 
 Innominata ; right vertebral ; left carotid ; left vertebral ; 
 left subclavian.^: 
 
 VARIETIES WITH SIX PRIMARY BRANCHES. 
 
 The number of trunks has been increased to six, by the sepa- 
 rate origin of the secondary branches. This variety is very 
 rare, having, I believe, been observed only twice. The subcla- 
 vians, carotids, and vertebrals all arose by separate trunks, each 
 vertebral between the subclavian and carotid of its own side.§ 
 
 VARIETIES WITH TWO PRIMARY BRANCHES. 
 
 This form of variety is still more rare than any of the pre- 
 ceding, if we except the occurrence of six primary branches. 
 All the examples which illustrate it are referable, either to an 
 irregular union of primary or secondary branches, or to an 
 imitation of animal structure. 
 
 1. Sometimes the left carotid forms a branch of the innomi- 
 nata.|| This variety has been seen very frequently by the Con- 
 tinental anatomists ; but, were I to judge from my own expe- 
 rience, I would say it was of rare occurrence. It appears to 
 
 * Loder. de Nonnul. Arter. Variet. 
 
 •j- Koberwein. deVas. Curs. Al). p. 16. 
 
 I Fiorati. Atti della Acad, de Pad. t. 3, P. 1, p. 38. 
 
 § Tiedemann. Explicat. Tab. Arter. p. 51. J. F. Meckel. Anat. Gen. 
 et Des. t. ii, p. 322. 
 
 || Malacarne. Osserv. in Chirur. P. 2, p. 128. Walter. Nouv. Mem. de 
 l’Acad. de Berlin, Ann. 1785. J. F. Meckel. Hand, der Pathol. Anat. B. 
 2, Ab. 1, S. 131. Tiedemann. Tab. Arter. Descr. Carlsruhre, 1822, p. 21. 
 
7 
 
 constitute the type in the order quadrumana, especially in the 
 simise. Perhaps it was on this account that the earlier anato- 
 mists, who seem frequently to derive their descriptions from 
 dissection of the monkey tribe, have given this as the natural 
 distribution in man. The same disposition has been seen in the 
 dog, fox, wolf, and lion ; in the hyena, bear, and many other 
 mammalia. When the left carotid arises from the innominata, 
 it always crosses to the left side, below the thyroid body and in 
 front of the trachea. It is manifest that a variety, similar to 
 the one now described, would interfere in the most important 
 manner with tracheotomy. Every surgeon ought, therefore, to 
 be prepared for such a contingency, and make a careful exami- 
 nation of the front of the trachea, before he attempt an operation 
 on a part, where his first incision may divide the carotid artery. 
 
 2. Sometimes, but extremely rarely, we find a transposition 
 of the preceding variety ; for, on the left side, a common trunk 
 produces both carotids and the left subclavian.* 
 
 3. Occasionally, an arteria innominata exists on both sides ; 
 that is, the left carotid and subclavian arise by a common trunk.-f- 
 Tliis constitutes the type in the cliiroptera. It occurs, also, 
 according to Cuvier, in the delphinus phocanea. 
 
 4. Or, finally, in very rare cases, the right carotid arises from 
 the arch ; on the left side, is a common trunk for the left carotid 
 and subclavian, while the right subclavian is a branch of the 
 thoracic aorta. 
 
 5. This tendency of the vessels towards the left side leads to 
 an anomaly extremely rare, an example of which I have before 
 me ; in this variety, all the vessels arise from the left side of the 
 arch. First the right carotid, which crosses the lower part of 
 the trachea, giving off the right vertebral : next this arose the 
 left carotid and the subclavian, nearly from the same point ; the 
 right subclavian is detached from the back part of the arch, a 
 little below the left subclavian. It passed to the right side, 
 behind the oesophagus and trachea. 
 
 * Zagorsky. Mem. de l’Acad. de Scien. de St. » Petersburg, 1809, t. 1, 
 p. 384. 
 
 f Malacarne. Osservat. in Chirur. Torino, 1784, t. 2 , p. 119. Tiedc- 
 mann. Tab. Arter. Descrip, p. 17. 
 
8 
 
 6. Sometimes there is an appearance of two innomiuatae, but 
 on examination we find that, of the two branches, one furnishes 
 both carotids, the other, both subclavians.* * * § 
 
 VARIETIES OF THE CORONARY ARTERIES. 
 
 The only variety of this vessel at all interesting is the exis- 
 tence of but one coronary artery, as this is analogous to the 
 structure in the elephant.f Sometimes there are three, some- 
 times four coronary arteries.^ 
 
 VARIETIES OF THE CAROTID ARTERY. 
 
 The principal of these have been enumerated under the varie- 
 ties of the arch. The carotid artery usually divides near the 
 superior edge of the thyroid cartilage, into the external and the 
 internal carotids, but sometimes the bifurcation takes place as 
 high as the superior part of the styloid process. This irregula- 
 rity conducts to another, in which there is no bifurcation at all, 
 but the primary carotid, having given all the branches usually 
 furnished by the external, is continued under the form of inter- 
 nal carotid. Sometimes the division into the two secondary 
 branches takes place as low down as the sixth cervical vertebra.§ 
 
 SUPERIOR THYROID ARTERY. 
 
 The origin of this artery frequently varies : it usually arises 
 from the external carotid, a little above the bifurcation ; but it 
 may arise from the primary carotid ;|| or from the external caro- 
 tid, by a common trunk with the lingual artery ; in some rare 
 cases, this trunk has arisen from the primary carotid. Some- 
 times the superior thyroid is wanting altogether; sometimes 
 
 * J. F. Meckel. Mau. d’Anat. t. 11, p. 322. Haller, de Corp. Hum. 
 Fab. t. 4, p. 8. 
 
 | Thebesius. Dis. de Circ. Sang. p. 8. I have lately met with an exam- 
 ple of this kind : the preparation is injected with plaister of Paris., and now 
 lies in the museum of Dr. Macartney. 
 
 j Tiedemann. Tab. Arter. Exp. p. 13. 
 
 § Burns, Diseases of the Heart, &c. p. 285. Morgagni, de Sed. Causis- 
 t(ue Morb. lib. iii. epist. 29. art. 20. 
 
 || Burns, 1. c. p. 288. I have seen several examples of this. 
 
9 
 
 there are two ; but this latter variety is properly considered as 
 the separation of the laryngeal branch from its primary trunk. 
 
 LARYNGEAL BRANCH OP THE SUPERIOR THYROID. 
 
 This branch very often arises from the external carotid ; 
 according to Meckel’s observations, once in eight times.* * * § It 
 also may take its origin from the lingual, but this seldom occurs. 
 
 LINGUAL ARTERY. 
 
 By a common trunk with the superior thyroid ; or, very 
 frequently, by a common trunk with the facial. This latter 
 artery occasionally supplies the sublingual also. 
 
 PHARYNGEA ASCENDENS. 
 
 This artery I have very frequently seen arise from the bifur- 
 cation of the carotid, as the sacra media does from the division 
 of the aorta. In some cases it is furnished by the occipital 
 artery,-]- or by the superior thyroid but rarely by the internal 
 carotid. Sometimes this artery is supplied by the facial ; some- 
 times it is double ; in the latter instance, the accessory pharyn- 
 geal arises from the internal carotid ; or both vessels may arise, 
 one from the internal, the other from the primary carotid. As 
 many as three pharyngeal arteries have been seen.§ 
 
 FACIAL ARTERY, OR EXTERNAL MAXILLARY. 
 
 This vessel is peculiarly liable to variation ; in so much, that 
 we seldom find the facial arteries on both sides of the same body 
 similar in distribution. Sometimes it is so small as scarcely to 
 pass beyond the angle of the jaw ; at other times, it extends 
 up to the forehead, producing the palpebral and lachrymal arte- 
 ries. || In the former case, the branches of the facial are 
 replaced by the temporal artery. 
 
 * J. F. Meckel. Manuel d’Anat. t. 11, p. 328. 
 
 f I have seen this origin in two subjects. 
 
 | Mayer. Lehre von der Blut. p. 49. 
 
 § Soemmer. 1. c. p. 126. 
 
 || Soemmering, de Corpor. Hum. Fab. t. v. p. 132. 
 
 C 
 
10 
 
 OCCIPITAL ARTERY, 
 
 In rare cases, from the internal carotid.* An example has 
 been mentioned to me, by a friend, in which this artery was a 
 branch of the vertebral. 
 
 POSTERIOR AURICULAR ARTERY 
 
 Sometimes arises from the occipital. 
 
 STYLO-MASTOID BRANCH. 
 
 I have seen two examples, in which this artery arose from 
 the occipital. 
 
 TRANSVERSALIS FACIEI. 
 
 This artery, like the facial, is very subject to variety in its 
 distribution, though usually constant in origin. In rare cases, 
 it arises from the external carotid. When the facial artery is 
 small, it frequently supplies some of the branches of this vessel, 
 as the coronary artery of the upper lip, the external arteries of 
 the nose, &c. In other cases, we find it so small and insignifi- 
 cant, as hardly to attract attention. 
 
 MENINGEA PARVA 
 
 Often arises from the meningea media, or from a pterygoid 
 branch. Sometimes it supplies the place of the meningea media. 
 
 INFERIOR MAXILLARY, OR INFERIOR DENTAL ARTERY, 
 
 Sometimes arises from the meningea media.f 
 
 ALVEOLAR, OR SUPERIOR MAXILLARY ARTERY, 
 
 From one of the deep temporals, or from the sub-orbitar.j; 
 
 OPHTHALMIC ARTERY. 
 
 The branches which the ophthalmic artery furnishes to the 
 orbit vary considerably, both in size, number, and origin ; so 
 much, that we seldom find them as described in books. 
 
 * Tiedemann. Explicat. Tab. Art. p. 81. 
 
 •j- J. F. Meckel. Man. d’Anat. t. ii. p. 314. 
 
 | J. F. Meckel. 1. c. 
 
1 ] 
 
 LACHRYMAL ARTERY. 
 
 In some cases, this artery is not a branch of the ophthalmic, 
 but arises from the meningea media, and enters the orbit, either 
 by the superior orbital fissure, or by a peculiar foramen, in the 
 maxillary bone, or in the great wing of the sphenoid.* 
 
 POSTERIOR (ETHMOIDAL ARTERY. 
 
 This vessel, like the other branches of the ophthalmic, is 
 very inconstant ; for it often arises from the lachrymal, from 
 the anterior cethmoidal, or from the supra-orbital. 
 
 CENTRAL ARTERY OF THE RETINA. 
 
 The central artery of the retina is commonly a branch of the 
 ophthalmic ; hut it may arise from the lachrymal, from the ante- 
 rior cethmoidal, or from one of the muscular or ciliary arteries.f 
 
 The vascular communication, at the base of the brain, between 
 the basilar and the carotids, called the circle of Willis, is formed 
 by seven branches. Behind and at the sides, we have two 
 branches to the posterior cerebral arteries, called the posterior 
 communicating branches of the carotids. In front, the anterior 
 arteries of the brain, which communicate by the transverse 
 branch. This disposition is usually constant, but occasionally 
 varieties are to be observed. Sometimes the lateral communica- 
 tion is made directly from the anterior artery of the brain to the 
 basilar, and it has been found double on each side. The trans- 
 verse communicating branch has also been seen double, or dou- 
 ble for half its extent. Sometimes there is no transverse 
 branch, but the anterior arteries join into one trunk, like the 
 vertebrals, and afterwards separate. Sometimes both the middle 
 arteries come from the right carotid ; or both middle arteries 
 and the right anterior arise from the right carotid, while the 
 left anterior artery is the only branch of the left carotid. j; 
 
 * Scemmering. de Cor. Hum. Fab. t. v. p. 152. 
 
 f Scemmer. 1. c. p. 156. 
 
 1 J. F. Meckel. Man. d’Anat. t. ii. p. 358. Since writing the above 
 description, I have met with a subject, in which the communicating branch 
 
12 
 
 VERTEBRAL ARTERY. 
 
 The principal varieties of the vertebral artery have been enu- 
 merated, under the head of the varieties of the arch ; hut there 
 are a few other anomalies, which may he noticed here. When 
 the right subclavian arises from the left side of the arch, or from 
 the thoracic aorta, the right vertebral usually is a branch of the 
 carotid. Sometimes the trunk of the vertebral artery is formed 
 by the union of two branches : occasionally one of these arises 
 from the arch, the other from the subclavian ; at other times, 
 both branches are furnished by the subclavian.* The union of 
 these two branches takes place at different distances from their 
 origin. Sometimes they unite before they enter the vertebral 
 canal ; sometimes one enters at the usual place, while the other 
 ascends a little higher, and then passes in to form a common 
 trunk. The vertebral artery is described as entering its canal 
 at the sixth cervical vertebra, but this circumstance is by no 
 means fixed. It may enter either at the seventh, fifth, fourth, 
 third, or even the second cervical vertebra ;f but no case has as 
 yet been observed, in which the artery remained outside the 
 vertebral canal during its whole coiu-se.J 
 
 INFERIOR ANTERIOR ARTERY OF THE CEREBELLUM 
 
 Sometimes arises from the basilar ; this commonly takes place 
 when the vertebral arteries unite sooner than usual. 
 
 BASILAR ARTERY. 
 
 This artery is extremely constant. In two very rare exam- 
 ples, seen by Meckel, § the basilar artery divided into two 
 
 of the carotid, on the right side, was entirely wanting : the posterior cere- 
 bral artery, on the left side, was a branch of the internal carotid. 
 
 * Huber, de Aorta' Ar. Ramis. Act. Helv. t. viii. p. 68, J. F. Meckel. 
 Man. d’Anat, t. ii. p. 361. 
 
 •)■ Scemmer. de Corp. Hum. Fab. t. v. p. 166. 
 
 | It has hitherto been supposed, that the holes in the transverse processes 
 of the cervical vertebra were for the transmission of the vertebral artery : 
 but I have ascertained that these holes exist when the vertebral artery enters 
 high up in the neck. 
 
 § J. F. Meckel. L c. p. 367. 
 
13 
 
 branches, which again reunited. The same disposition was seen 
 in the transverse communicating branch of the circle of Willis. 
 
 SUBCLAVIAN ARTERY. 
 
 See varieties of the arch. 
 
 INTERNAL MAMMARY ARTERY. 
 
 The internal mammary commonly arises as a single trunk 
 from the subclavian ; but, in • rare cases, it arises in common 
 with the inferior thyroid ; or from the arch ;* * * § or, still more 
 rarely, from the innominata. j- 
 
 INFERIOR THYROID ARTERY. 
 
 The origin of the principal branches, usually described as 
 being derived from the inferior thyroid, is so extremely uncer- 
 tain, that we can never he assured, without examination, how 
 the vessels of the scaptda and neck may arise. The inferior 
 thyroid also varies considerably in size : when it supplies the 
 arteries just mentioned it is large, but if distributed to the 
 thyroid body alone, the vessel is comparatively small. In rare 
 cases, the inferior thyroid is a branch of the arch : £ this occurs 
 especially on the right side, between the innominata and the 
 left carotid. Sometimes the right and left inferior thyroid arte- 
 ries arise by a common trunk, either from the arch or from the 
 subclavian. § When the vessels, usually branches of the inferior 
 thyroid, arise separately from the subclavian, the ramus tliyroi- 
 deus, which then becomes the proper thyroid artery, is given 
 off either from the subclavian, the aorta, the innominata, or the 
 primary carotid. || Sometimes there is no inferior thyroid 
 
 artery. Of this I saw an example, in a subject which I lately 
 dissected. The thyroid axis furnished the internal mammary, 
 
 * Bsehmer. de Quat. et Quin. Ram. &c. 
 
 f Neubauer. Descrip. Anatom. Innom. p. 33. I have seen an example, 
 in which the internal mammary of the left side arose from what is called 
 thyroid axis; but the inferior thyroid itself was wanting. 
 
 £ Tiedemann. Arter. Explic. p, 45. 
 
 § Burns. 1. c. p. 290. 
 
 || J. F. Meckel. 1. c. p. 373. 
 
14 
 
 the arteries of the scapula, and a long superficial ascending 
 branch ; the inferior thyroid, on the left side, was Avanting, its 
 place being supplied by the superior thyroid, which was unusu- 
 ally large. 
 
 TRANSVERSALIS SCAPULAS. 
 
 The transversalis scapulae is described as the first branch of 
 the inferior thyroid ; but very frequently this \ r essel is detached, 
 either singly or in conjunction Avith the transversalis colli, from 
 the subclavian artery. I have seen many examples, in which 
 the vessel passed in front of the scaleni muscles, and the descend- 
 ing branches of the cervical nerves, towards the scapula. 
 
 TRANSVERSALIS COLLI. 
 
 This artery, like the preceding, very often arises from the 
 subclavian, and it frequently furnishes the supra-spinous artery 
 of the scapula. The cervicalis ascendens is more constant in its 
 origin than any of the branches of the inferior thyroid ; but 
 sometimes it is given off by the subclaA'ian, or, in rare cases, 
 by the internal mammary. 
 
 THYROIDEA IMA. 
 
 Besides the inferior thyroid artery, there exists, very fre- 
 quently, a vessel not usually described in books, the thywoidea 
 ima, vel Neubauerii. This vessel sometimes arises from the 
 arch, and ascends straight on the trachea to the thyroid body. 
 Sometimes it is a branch of the subclavian. At other times, the 
 thyroidea ima arises from the innominata, or from the primary 
 carotid. Whatever be the origin of the vessel, it altA'ays ascends, 
 more or less in front of the trachea, to the thyroid body, to 
 which its branches are distributed.* This anomaly is worthy of 
 attention, on account of the relation it bears to all operations on 
 the trachea. I have not met Avith any remarkable example of 
 this vessel. 
 
 CERVICALIS PROFUNDA. 
 
 The size and extent of this artery are regulated very much 
 
 * Neubauer. Descr. Anatom. Art. In. 
 
15 
 
 by the branches of the inferior thyroid. It frequently arises by 
 a common trunk with the superior intercostal. In rare cases, 
 it is furnished hy the inferior thyroid, or even hy the vertebral.* 
 
 SUPERIOR INTERCOSTAL ARTERY. 
 
 The origin of this artery from the subclavian is constant, but 
 the manner of its distribution is extremely various. Usually 
 the artery supplies the first and second intercostal spaces ; some- 
 times it furnishes two arteries to each intercostal space. When 
 the primary trunk is small, it is distributed to the first intercos- 
 tal space only. In rare cases, the superior intercostal arises 
 from the inferior thyroid ;f but much oftener by a common 
 trunk with the cervicalis profunda. The origin from the pecto- 
 ral aorta is still more rare. I have seen one example of this 
 kind. 
 
 THORACIC ARTERIES. 
 
 The origin and distribution of the thoracic arteries are very 
 subject to variety. Sometimes two or three of them arise from 
 the axillary by a common trunk, and then separate : at other 
 times, one or more have their origin from the brachial, or hy a 
 common trunk with the profunda humeri, or from the subscapu- 
 laris. In one example, extremely rare, which I possess, the 
 long thoracic artery arises from the radial, this latter vessel 
 being detached from the axillary. 
 
 SUBSCAPULAR ARTERY. 
 
 The origin of this artery from the axillary is generally con- 
 stant ; but the number of branches which it may furnish vary 
 a good deal. A case, mentioned by Monro, in which it was 
 detached from the inferior thyroid, appears to be very rare.J 
 
 * J. F. Meckel. Manuel d’Anat. t. ii. p. 375. 
 
 f Soemmer. 1. c. pagin. 181. 
 
 | Monro, Outlines, t. iii. p. 301. I have once seen a variety, which 
 may be considered as an approach to this. From the subclavian artery, just 
 as it crossed over the first rib, arose a very large vessel, dividing into all the 
 thoracic arteries, and continued on to the scapula, to become subscapular. It 
 is remarkable, that, in the arm of this subject, many of the arteries of the 
 
16 
 
 ANTERIOR AND POSTERIOR CIRCUMFLEX ARTERIES. 
 
 The anterior circumflex artery is described by authors as sel- 
 dom varying in its origin, hut I have chanced to meet with 
 several ; viz. : from the profunda humeri ; from the radial, in a 
 high bifurcation ; and by a common trunk with the posterior 
 circumflex. Sometimes (though not always, as described by 
 Meckel,) the subscapular also arises from this common trunk. 
 The posterior, as well as the anterior circumflex artery, may 
 arise from the subscapular, or from the profunda. The two 
 following varieties I have seen, which appear very unusual. A 
 common origin for the posterior circumflex, profunda major and 
 minor. A common origin for the anterior and posterior circum- 
 flex arteries, both profunda', and the subscapular. There some- 
 times is found an artery of the arm, which is not described with 
 any accuracy in books, but which exists so frequently, that I 
 think it merits attention. Occasionally it arises, by a common 
 trunk with the profunda from the subscapular, and this trunk 
 I have seen so large, as to resemble a second humeral artery. 
 Sometimes it arises from the profunda, but most commonly from 
 the humeral, a little below the origin of the profunda. The 
 vessel runs down along the triceps, giving many muscular 
 branches, and anastomosing with the ramus anastomoticus mag- 
 nus and the ulnar recurrent. This artery might be named col- 
 lateralis interna, as the profunda is called collaterals externa. 
 
 RAMUS ANASTOMOTICUS MAGNUS. 
 
 Although this artery is called magnus, it is commonly a small 
 branch. It sometimes is furnished by the radial, in a high bifur- 
 cation, by the ulnar,* or, in very rare cases, by an anomalous 
 vessel, called vas aberrans.f 
 
 arm shewed a tendency to the high origin : the ulnar artery was given off 
 from the middle of the humeral ; the profunda arose from the same artery, 
 very high up ; the posterior circumflex was a branch of the axillary, and 
 descended by the head of the humerus, to turn round the hone ; and, finally, 
 the subscapular was given off, as already mentioned, by the subclavian. 
 
 * J. F. Meckel. 1. c. p. 391. 
 f Burns. 1. c. p. 300. 
 
17 
 
 VASA ABERRANTIA. 
 
 These are branches, sometimes of considerable magnitude, 
 which arise from the superior part of the brachial, the axillary, 
 or, in very rare cases, from the subscapular, and terminate in 
 the brachial low down, in the radial, or in the ulnar, more 
 commonly, I believe, in the radial. It is obvious that this dis- 
 position would cause much embarrassment to the surgeon, if he 
 were called on to operate for aneurism, or if circumstances 
 should render it necessary to take up the brachial artery. 
 Perhaps the safest rule which the surgeon can follow is, to tie 
 both vessels, if they should present themselves to him, on cut- 
 ting down upon the edge of the biceps muscle. Sometimes the 
 axillary artery divides into two vessels, which again unite at the 
 fold of the arm ; so that there are, in reality, two brachial arte- 
 ries, lying close to one another, and of equal magnitude. I 
 have seen two striking examples of this kind. In one case, the 
 brachial divided into two branches, which, in like manner, con- 
 joined above the fold of the arm. This is analogous to an ano- 
 maly of the basilar artery, already mentioned, and to a very 
 rare disposition of the femoral. 
 
 RADIAL, ULNAR, AND INTEROSSEOUS ARTERIES. 
 
 The brachial artery usually divides, a little below the fold of 
 the arm, into two branches, of nearly equal size, the radial and 
 ulnar, which latter immediately gives off the interosseous. This 
 distribution of the artery, however, is by no means so constant 
 as is commonly represented. Bidlous met with the high bifur- 
 cation so frequently, that he considered it as the regular mode 
 of distribution :* yet Camper, a distinguished Continental ana- 
 tomist, denies the fact, and quotes (but erroneously) Haller, in 
 support of his assertion.f That such division does happen is 
 now admitted by all anatomists ; the only question that can 
 arise is, how often we are to expect such a deviation from the 
 natural structure. In a debateable point of this kind, every one 
 
 * Idon. Wolf. Obser. Chirur. Med. 
 
 f Demon. Anat. Pathol, lib. 1, p. 15. 
 
 D 
 
18 
 
 will be more or less guided by conclusions drawn from his own 
 observations. Since I turned my attention to this subject, 1 
 have examined the aims of nearly two hundred bodies, while 
 being dissected, and I find, from my notes, that the proportion 
 of the irregular to the regular distribution is as one to four.* 
 This fact, which I believe is but little known to the generality 
 of surgeons, deserves their serious consideration ; and I hope 
 that the present statement will have the effect of drawing their 
 attention to a circumstance hitherto neglected too much. Were 
 it consistent with the object of the present work, innumerable 
 examples might be cited, to prove the mischief which has arisen 
 from ignorance, or inattention to this part of anatomy. Day 
 after day, we read of cases in which the brachial artery (as it is 
 said) has been wounded, while the operation of bleeding was 
 being performed. In the majority of instances, I am convinced 
 that the injured vessel is either the ulnar or radial artery, run- 
 ning superficially along the fore-arm ; and that very little atten- 
 tion would enable the operator to detect the variety, and avoid 
 the consequences of such a mistake. The transverse communi- 
 cations in the bend of the arm, and the existence of a median 
 artery, are also worthy of attention in a surgical point of view ; 
 but I shall enumerate them without further comment, leaving 
 every one to draw the conclusions which cannot fail to present 
 themselves to him. 
 
 RADIAL ARTERY. 
 
 Varieties of the radial artery consist in its high origin, which 
 may take place at any point, from the fold of the arm to the 
 axilla ; most commonly about the middle of the humerus. In 
 one example, I have seen it arise so high up from the axillary, 
 as to give off the long thoracic artery. It usually runs down 
 for some way along the inner side of the brachial, before it 
 crosses to the radial side. Sometimes, however, the artery 
 crosses directly over the brachial, and passes down to the fold 
 
 * The relation here stated is confirmed by the observations of Mr. Harri- 
 son, who examined eighty injected subjects, and found varieties in the arte- 
 ries of the arm in twenty-one of them. Harrison, Surg. Anat. of the 
 Arter, vol. i. p. 272. 
 
19 
 
 of the arm in this direction. In some rare instances, the vessel 
 pierces the brachial aponeurosis, and becomes quite superficial ■* 
 but more usually it is covered by the tendinous expansion. In 
 the bend of the arm, there is sometimes a transverse communi- 
 cating branch, which joins the radial to the continuation of the 
 main trunk, when the former arises high up from the brachial. 
 In one remarkable example, I have found a vascular circle of 
 communication between the two vessels, which furnishes the 
 radial recurrent. Sometimes this transverse branch gives a 
 median artery to the palm of the hand. The transverse commu- 
 nication just described, which exists as the regular distribution 
 between the arteries of the corpus callosum, has been seen 
 between the vertebrals, just before they form the basilar ; 
 between the primary iliacs, near the bifurcation of the aorta ; 
 and between the posterior tibial and fibular arteries, at the lower 
 third of the leg. I have seen four examples of this transverse 
 communication ; all were accompanied by a high origin of the 
 radial artery. In the only example given by Tiedemann,f the 
 ulnar was the vessel which arose from the brachial. Sometimes 
 the radial artery, near the lower third of the fore-arm, turns 
 round the radius, to the back of the bone, and descends in this 
 direction to the hand, while the superficialis volae pursues the 
 course of the primary trunk. I have seen two examples of this 
 in the dead body, and two in the living. The circumstance is 
 worthy of attention, since such a deviation would give a very 
 false notion of the state of the pulse, which can only be distinctly 
 felt as the artery passes over the radius. Sometimes the super- 
 ficialis volte arises at the point we have indicated, and accompa- 
 nies the radial artery, but more superficially. 
 
 RADIAL RECURRENT ARTERY. 
 
 When the radial artery arises high up from the brachial, the 
 radial recurrent almost constantly is a branch of the continuation 
 of the original trunk, though sometimes it is given off by the 
 ulnar. I have met with two examples, in which the radial 
 
 * I have a distinct recollection of one such occurrence. Tiedeinann also 
 makes the same remark. Vide Tab. Arter. Explicat. p. 169. 
 
 f Tiedemanu. Tab. Arter. xv. fig. 11. 
 
20 
 
 recurrent was furnished by the transverse branch already de- 
 scribed ; and, on one occasion, I have seen two radial recurrent 
 arteries. Meckel mentions a deviation extremely rare, viz. : the 
 origin of this vessel from the brachial, without being accompa- 
 nied with any irregularity of the vessels of the fore-arm.* 
 
 ULNAR ARTERY. 
 
 The high origin of this artery is by no means so common as 
 that of the radial ; hut, when it does arise above the usual place, 
 we find it detached from the inner side of the brachial, generally 
 very high up, or from the axillary. When this disposition of 
 the idnar artery occurs, the ulnar recurrent invariably arises 
 from the interosseous, or from the continuation of the main 
 artery. I have seen six examples of the high origin of the 
 ulnar : in all cases the vessel was situated immediately under the 
 fascia of the arm. When we consider the frequency with which 
 these deviations of the two principal arteries of the fore-arm 
 present themselves, it becomes a matter of high importance to 
 ascertain such circumstances as may enable the surgeon to detect 
 the variety in proper time, and prevent the unpleasant conse- 
 quences which must arise from mistaking the radial or idnar 
 arteries for the main trunk. The following considerations will, 
 I think, always be sufficient to afford a certain discrimination. 
 On cutting down upon the inner edge of the biceps muscle, 
 should ive find, immediately under the fascia, and above tbe 
 median nerve, a vessel smaller than the humeral artery in its 
 natural state, Ave may at once conclude that it is either the radial 
 or the ulnar artex-y arising high up, most probably the radial ; 
 for, I believe, the radial deviates from its usual origin more 
 frequently than the ulnar, in the proportion of ten to one. Fur- 
 ther examination Avill, however, set the question at rest ; for, 
 under the -circumstances just described, the main trunk Avill be 
 found under the median nerve, and a little to the outer edge of 
 it. In all the examples which I have seen, such has been inva- 
 riably the disposition of the A essels as far as the bend of the 
 arm : here the vessels begin to separate ; but, if the ulnar should 
 
 * J. F. Meckel. 1. c. p. 395. 
 
21 
 
 happen to be the artery which arises high up, it pursues its 
 course along the fore-arm, immediately under the fascia ; while 
 the radial very often dips under the pronator teres, and disap- 
 pears from our view. According to the observations of Mr. 
 Burns, the ulnar artery, when it is given off from the humeral, 
 most commonly descends above the fascia :* this I have not seen. 
 In some rare cases, the ulnar artery, even when it arises at the 
 bend of the arm, penetrates the fascia, and accompanies the 
 basilic vein to the wrist.-j- A similar anomaly has been seen in 
 the anterior tibial artery.J In one instance, both radial and 
 ulnar arteries, arising at the bend of the arm, ran immediately 
 under the fascia.§ 
 
 INTEROSSEOUS ARTERY. 
 
 It is a very rare circumstance to find the interosseous artery 
 a branch of the humeral :|| I have seen only one example of this 
 deviation : the vessel arose from the middle of the humeral as a 
 very large trunk, gave many muscular branches in its descent to 
 the interosseous space, and finally terminated, as the interosse- 
 ous artery does, by passing to the back of the hand, near the 
 pronator quadratus. The division of the main branch, into 
 radial and ulnar arteries, took place a little above the lower 
 extremity of the humerus. I have met with two remarkable ano- 
 malies of this artery, which I do not find noticed by any writer, 
 viz. : the complete termination of the interosseous in the radial, 
 as the latter is about to turn to the hack of the thumb. When 
 the idnar artery is given high off, the interosseous is always a 
 branch of the main trunk. 
 
 MEDIAN ARTERY. 
 
 This name may be given to a vessel which very frequently 
 exists. It arises from the radial, the idnar, the interosseous 
 (most commonly), or, in very rare cases, from the humeral ; 
 
 f Allan Burns. 1. c. p. 296. 
 
 f Do. p. 299. 
 
 | Peletan. Clin. Chirur. t. i. p. 101. 
 
 § Barclay. Descript, of the Arter. Edinburgh, 1820, p. 102. 
 
 || Soemmering. 1. c. t. v. p. 201. Sabatier. Traite d’Anat. p, 69. 
 
22 
 
 runs down between the flexor sublimis and profundus, in com- 
 pany with the median artery ; and, passing under the annular 
 ligament, terminates in the deep or superficial palmar arch. 
 Sometimes, though rarely, when the ulnar artery is small, and 
 terminates in muscular branches, this median vessel supplies its 
 place in the palm of the hand.* In a great number of examples, 
 in which the radial artery was detached from the humeral, I 
 have seen this median branch from the ulnar or interosseous. 
 Meckel thinks that it more frequently accompanies the high 
 origin of the ulnar ; but in this, I am convinced, he is in error. 
 I have seen more than twenty examples of this median artery, 
 and in only one instance was the ulnar artery irregular in origin. 
 The manner of its termination in the palm of the hand is very 
 various. Usually it ends by anastomosing with the superficial 
 palmar branch of the ulnar, as it crosses the palm of the hand. 
 Sometimes it forms the palmar arch with the ulnar, supplying 
 the place of the superficialis volte, and frequently it supplies the 
 digital arteries of the index finger and thumb, anastomosing 
 with the princeps pollicis. 
 
 DIGITAL ARTERIES. 
 
 The manner in which the digital arteries are formed is so 
 extremely various, that to describe all the deviations which I have 
 noticed would compose in itself a book : every one, the least 
 conversant with anatomy, must have remarked this : indeed, I 
 do not think that I have seen more than two or three examples 
 which exactly corresponded with the descriptions given in books 
 as the regular distribution ; but fortunately the student, in pur- 
 suing his dissection here, cannot fall into error, — while, in a 
 surgical point of view, the varieties of these arteries do not pre- 
 sent any thing worthy of interest. I have therefore omitted 
 these, as well as the plantar arch, and digital arteries of the foot. 
 
 BRONCHIAL ARTERIES. 
 
 These vessels are peculiarly liable to irregularity, both in 
 number and mode of origin. Sometimes (but very rarely) there 
 
 Sabatier. I. c. p. 69. 
 
23 
 
 is only one , often there are three, or four, or even five ; very 
 frequently the rig-lit bronchial is a branch of the first intercos- 
 tal ;* or one of them may arise from the subclavian, from the 
 internal mammary,-)- from the innominata, or from the inferior 
 thyroid, f Sometimes the left bronchial is furnished by the sub- 
 clavian of that side, or by the internal mammary. 
 
 INTERCOSTAL ARTERIES. 
 
 Varieties of these arteries consist entirely in the union of 
 many arteries at their origin. Sometimes the first and second 
 intercostals arise from the superior intercostal of the subclavian. 
 Sometimes two or more arteries (either of the same or of opposite 
 sides,) arise by a common trunk. This takes place with respect 
 to the superior or inferior intercostal, much more frequently 
 than the middle. The two inferior intercostal arteries very 
 often arise by a common trunk, shewing an analogy between the 
 superior and inferior vessels ; but not unfrequently their place 
 is supplied by the first lumbar artery. 
 
 PHRENIC ARTERIES. 
 
 Anatomists differ much in their descriptions of the origin of 
 the phrenic arteries. Some consider them as branches of the 
 cceliac ; but it appears to me that, in the greater number of 
 cases, they arise from the aorta ; and we shall regard such as the 
 natural distribution : very frequently, however, they are fur- 
 nished from the cceliac, either by a common trunk, or separately. 
 Sometimes one of the phrenics arises from the aorta, the other 
 from the cceliac : sometimes one or both are branches of some 
 division of the cceliac ; or of the renal ; or of the inferior cap- 
 sular. In rare cases, there are four phrenic arteries, two of 
 which arise from the aorta, the others from the coeliac.§ In one 
 example, a common trunk from the aorta produced the coronaria 
 ventriculi and the common phrenic ; or the right phrenic and 
 coronaria ventriculi may arise from the aorta in common, while 
 
 * Meckel. I. c. p. 410. 
 f Scemmering. 1. c. p. 220. 
 
 | Haller. Tab. Bronch. Vasor, 
 
 § Haller. Icon. fas. iii. p. 54. 
 
24 
 
 the left phrenic is a branch of the cceliac. I have seen one ex- 
 ample of this kind. To these varieties I may add one from my 
 own observation, which appears extremely rare : a common 
 trunk arose from the aorta, above the diaphragm, descended 
 through the aortic opening, and then divided into right and left 
 phrenics. In one case, I saw the left phrenic arise from the 
 cceliac ; while the right was detached from the aorta, below the 
 superior mesenteric. In another example, there were three 
 phrenic arteries ; one from the aorta, on the left side ; on the 
 right side, a common trunk from the renal, divided into right 
 and left phrenics. 
 
 CCELIAC ARTERY. 
 
 The cceliac artery usually divides into three principal branches 
 — the coronaria ventriculi, the hepatic, and the splenic ; but, 
 like the inferior thyroid, to which it bears some analogy, the 
 manner in which these branches separate from the primary trunk 
 is very various. In rare cases, the coronaria ventriculi arises 
 from the aorta, either alone or in common with one or both 
 phrenics.* Very frequently this artery is large, and produces 
 the left hepatic. The hepatic artery is often divided into two 
 separate trunks, one of which arises from the cceliac, the other 
 either from the cceliac, or in rare cases from the aorta. Some- 
 times there are three hepatic arteries, one from the cceliac, the 
 other from the aorta, and the third from the superior mesenteric. 
 Occasionally the hepatic arises from the aorta by a single trunk.f 
 Its origin from the superior mesenteric, described by Haller, 
 must be extremely rare.J As the left hepatic sometimes arises 
 in common with the coronaria ventriculi, thus the right hepatic 
 may have its origin from the superior mesenteric, in common 
 with the gastro-epiploica-dextra. In a recent dissection, I have 
 found three hepatic arteries : the left from the coeliae, in 
 common with the coronaria ventriculi ; a middle, from the cceliac 
 also, in common with the gastro-epiploica-dextra ; and a left 
 hepatic, from the superior mesenteric, which gave off the cystic 
 
 * Meckel. 1. c. p. 418. 
 
 f Meckel. Man. d’Anat. t. ii. p. 435. 
 
 } Haller. Icon. Anat. fasc. viii. p. 36. 
 
25 
 
 artery. A modern author* * * § has published a dissection, in which, 
 as he alleges, there was no hepatic artery at all ; hut it appears 
 more consistent with physiology and anatomical experience, to 
 conclude that such an appearance was attributable to some of the 
 varieties just mentioned, which escaped his notice. 
 
 SUPERIOR MESENTERIC ARTERY. 
 
 The distance at which the superior mesenteric arises from the 
 cceliac differs much in different subjects. Sometimes they are so 
 close as to he scarcely distinguishable. This is a transition to 
 the variety, in' which the superior mesenteric arises by a common 
 trank with the coeliac,f a distribution analogous to the structure 
 in tortoises. 
 
 RENAL ARTERIES. 
 
 The renal arteries may vary in number from one to five, either 
 on the same, or on both sides. The existence of only one renal 
 artery depends on a malformation, viz. : the congenital absence 
 of one of the kidneys. It appears that the left kidney is the one 
 usually wanting : such was the case in one example which I have 
 met with, and some authors who notice this circumstance coin- 
 cide in the remark. When the number of the renals is increased, 
 the accessory vessels arise, either from the aorta, or in rare 
 cases from the common iliac, J or from the hypogastric, § espe- 
 cially when the kidney is situate lower down in the abdomen 
 than is natural. In the latter case, one of the renals often arises 
 from the common iliac or hypogastric of the opposite side. || 
 Meckel describes a variety, which he justly considers as very 
 rare, where the renal arteries arose by a common trunk from the 
 aorta. This tendency of the symmetrical vessels of the right 
 and left side to unite into a single trunk is worthy of notice ; it 
 
 * Dr. Mills. 
 
 f Haller. Icon. Anat. fasc. viii. p, 35. J. F. Meckel. 1. c. p. 423. 
 
 ^ Eustach. Tab. iii. f. 3. 
 
 § Stach. Anat. Bot. Spec. 
 
 || Tiedemann. 1. c. p. 283. 
 
 Meckel. 1. c. p. 435.. 
 
 E 
 
26 
 
 is seen in the carotids, bronchials, intercostals, phrenics, renal, 
 spermatic, and lumbar arteries. 
 
 SPERMATIC ARTERIES. 
 
 The spermatic arteries, like the renal, are often increased in 
 number, hut never exceed two on the same side. Sometimes they 
 arise by a common trunk from the aorta. Not unfrequently one of 
 them arises from the renal, or from the middle or inferior capsu- 
 lar artery.* * * § In rare cases, one of the spermatic vessels is fur- 
 nished by a lumbar, by the external iliac, the hypogastric, or 
 even the epigastric, j- 
 
 INFERIOR MESENTERIC ARTERY. 
 
 This artery is little liable to variety. In some rare cases, 
 where the bifurcation of the aorta takes place higher than usual, 
 the inferior mesenteric has arisen from the primary iliac. 
 Petsche^: describes a very curious variety of this artery : imme- 
 diately below the origin of the right renal artery (the left kidney 
 was wanting by congenital malformation), the aorta divided 
 into the two iliacs, from the left of which arose the inferior 
 mesenteric. Beneath this the two iliacs were joined by a trans- 
 verse branch. When the inferior mesenteric does not exist, a 
 circumstance extremely rare, its branches are supplied by the 
 superior mesenteric.§ The absence of the inferior mesenteric is 
 analogous to the structure in some reptiles. 
 
 LUMBAR ARTERIES. 
 
 The right and left lumbar arteries arise from a common trunk 
 much more frequently than the intercostals, to which they are 
 analogous. This takes place with respect to one, or to all the 
 lumbar arteries. Sometimes the two or three inferior lumbar 
 arteries of the same side arise by a common trunk, and very 
 often the first lumbar artery is a branch of the inferior intercostal. 
 
 * Haller. Icon. fas. iii. p. 50. 
 
 f Mayer. Leher von der Blutz. p. 180. J. F. Meckel. 1. c. p. 137. 
 
 | Syllog. Obser. Anat. s. 76. 
 
 § Fleischmann. Leiclien-a'ff. s. 239. 
 
27 
 
 SACRA MEDIA 
 
 Sometimes arises from a lumbar,* or from one of the primary 
 iliacs, usually the left.-j- 
 
 PRIMARY ILIAC. 
 
 The origins of the vessels detached from the primary iliac in 
 the pelvis are so extremely uncertain, that it becomes difficult to 
 say what is the regular distribution. The best anatomists 
 describe it as dividing, first, into two branches, the external 
 iliac, and the internal iliac or hypogastric. The internal iliac 
 subdivides into two branches, the anterior and the posterior ; of 
 these, the posterior produces the ileo-lumbar, the sacra lateralis, 
 the obturator, and the glutaeal arteries; the anterior branch 
 furnishes the ischiatic, the umbilical, and internal pudic arte- 
 ries ; which latter generally produce the middle hemorrhoidal, 
 the uterine, vaginal, and vesical arteries. This distribution, 
 therefore, we shall assume as the regular one, and regard all 
 departures from it as varieties, though perhaps some of these 
 irregularities occur as often as the common disposition. 
 
 ILEO-LUMBAR. 
 
 This is generally the first branch of the posterior division of 
 the internal iliac ; hut it may arise, either from the primary iliac ; 
 from the internal iliac, or its anterior branch ; from the sacra 
 media ; by a common trunk with the last lumbar ; or, finally, 
 from the common femoral. j: I have seen the ascending branch 
 
 of the ileo-lumbar arise as a distinct trunk from the internal iliac. 
 
 SACRA LATERALIS. 
 
 This vessel varies much in number and origin. Sometimes it 
 is double ; sometimes there are as many as five, communicating 
 with each other and with the sacra media. Occasionally it is 
 given off from the internal iliac ; or, in rare cases, from the 
 primary iliac. 
 
 * I have seen many examples of this. 
 
 j- Meckel. 1. c. p. 441. 
 
 | Meckel. 1. c. p. 445. 
 
28 
 
 GLUTEAL ARTERY. 
 
 This is usually the largest branch of the posterior division of 
 the internal iliac ; hut very often it arises by a common trunk 
 with the ischiatic. Sometimes it is so large as to produce the 
 ileo-lumbar, sacra lateralis, ischiatic, and internal pudic arteries.* 
 
 OBTURATOR ARTERY. 
 
 The obturator artery is, perhaps, as liable to irregular origin 
 as any other in the body. The slightest degree of anomaly is 
 that, in which the obturator arises from the internal iliac ; next, 
 we find it arising from the anterior branch of the internal iliac, 
 or from the external iliac, either within the pelvis, or below 
 Poupart’s ligament. In rare cases, it arises from the common 
 femoral, two inches below the crural arch. It may also take its 
 origin from the ileo-lumbar, the ischiatic, the pudic, or the glu- 
 taeal.f The origin by a common trunk with the internal epigas- 
 tric occurs much more frequently than any of those already men- 
 tioned, — according to Monro, once in ten times ; from my own 
 observation, I would conceive it to occur about once in three 
 times. Sometimes the obturator artery is formed by the union 
 of two branches, one from the internal iliac ; the other from the 
 epigastric^ or common femoral. This anomaly conducts to ano- 
 ther, with which 1 once met. On the left side were two obtu- 
 rator arteries ; one from the epigastric, which was large ; the 
 other, smaller, from the usual origin : the two vessels passed 
 through the obturator ligament, near one another, but by distinct 
 foramina. There is a cast of a preparation, in the museum of 
 Dr. Macartney, in which there was no internal obturator, but 
 a branch from the profunda ascended towards the obturator 
 foramen, and supplied the muscles which receive branches from 
 the obturator in its regular distribution. When the obturator 
 artery arises below Poupart's ligament, it ascends close on the 
 
 * Meckel. 1. c. p. 453. 
 
 f Scemmer. de. Corp. Hum. fab. t. v. p. 272. Tiedemann. Tab. Arter. 
 Explicat. p. 289. I have seen myself examples of the varieties here 
 enumerated. 
 
 | Portal. Anatom. Med. t. iii. p. 322. 
 
29 
 
 pectineus, and turns short over the brim of the pelvis ; hut I 
 have seen two examples, in which the artery ascended so far 
 forwards, and left such a space beneath, that a femoral hernia 
 would have passed immediately behind the vessel. This, how- 
 ever, is an occurrence extremely rare. How very frequently 
 the obturator arises from the epigastric, may be collected from 
 the following observations of Cloquet. In two hundred and fifty 
 examples, he saw the obturator arise from the epigastric, fifty- 
 six times on both sides, and twenty-eight times on one side of 
 the body ; making a proportion of eighty-four to two hundred 
 and fifty, or very nearly one to three.* Hesselbacli,-j- in thirty- 
 two cases, found the obturator to arise from the epigastric nine- 
 teen times, a relation of three to five. 
 
 The anterior branch of the internal iliac usually divides into 
 the ischiatic, common pudic, and umbilical arteries ; from some 
 one of which arise the vesical, uterine, and vaginal arteries. 
 
 ISCHIATIC ARTERY. 
 
 The ischiatic artery very often arises by a common trunk with 
 the pudic, or with the glutseal. 
 
 INTERNAL OR COMMON PUDIC ARTERY. 
 
 The internal pudic is described as passing out of the pelvis, 
 between the pyrifonnis muscle and the great saero-sciatic liga- 
 ment ; but not unfrequently, especially in the male, the artery 
 descends along the inferior surface of the bladder, and crosses 
 over the prostate, to be distributed to the penis. Sometimes the 
 profunda penis arises, as a distinct vessel, from some branch of 
 the hypogastric, or from the external iliac. It is not very rare 
 to find the dorsal artery of the penis arise from the obturator, or 
 from some other branch of the hypogastric, and pass straight 
 forwards under the symphisis pubis : the older anatomists, and 
 even Winslow, have described this as the regular distribution. 
 In very rare cases, the dorsal artery of the penis arises from the 
 
 * Cloquet. Recherches Anat. sur les Hernies de l’Abd. 
 f Hesselbach. 1. c. p. '26. 
 
30 
 
 profunda or the common femoral.* I have seen one example, in 
 which the dorsal artery was furnished by the obturator, which 
 was given off from the femoral, below Poupart's ligament. See 
 plate. 
 
 VESICAL ARTERIES. 
 
 These arteries arise sometimes from the internal pudic ; or 
 they are branches of the umbilical ; of the hemorrlioidea media ; 
 of the ischiatic ; or the obturator. 
 
 HEBIORRHOIDEA MEDIA. 
 
 This vessel does not always exist. It is furnished occasionally 
 by the ischiatic, or the internal pudic. 
 
 EPIGASTRIC ARTERY. 
 
 The varieties of this vessel, as well as of the obturator, are 
 peculiarly interesting, on account of their relation to the diffe- 
 rent kinds of hernia. As has been already mentioned, the epi- 
 gastric very frequently arises by a common trunk with the 
 obturator. Sometimes, though rarely, this common trunk is 
 given off by the common femoral, below Poupart’s ligament : 
 at other times, the epigastric arises from the profunda, either 
 below Poupart’s ligament, or, when the femoral artery divides 
 high up, above the crural arch. An example of this latter kind, 
 which occurred in the dissecting-room of Trinity College, as it 
 is extremely rare, deserves some notice. The profunda was 
 given off above the arch, and produced the epigastric within the 
 abdomen. In the same subject was observed a high bifurcation 
 of the humeral artery, and the subscapular produced the profunda 
 humeri and both circumflex arteries. 
 
 CIRCUMFLEXA ILEI. 
 
 The circumflexa ilei, in some cases, arises from the epigastric, 
 or from the femoral, below the arch. 
 
 FEMORAL ARTERY. 
 
 The point at which the common femoral divides into the deep 
 * Tiedemann. 1. c, p. 315. 
 
31 
 
 and superficial femoral arteries is extremely uncertain. The 
 origin of the profunda is usually described as taking place about 
 an inch or two below the crural arch ; but very often we find the 
 profunda detached higher up. In some rare examples, the pro- 
 funda arises above the arch ; in which case, it usually furnishes 
 the external pudic and circumflex ilei arteries. This high origin 
 of the profunda is seen in birds, in which the profunda is given 
 off within the pelvis. 
 
 CIRCUMFLEXA FEMORIS. 
 
 These arteries usually arise from the profunda. Sometimes 
 one of them, particularly the internal, or in rare cases the exter- 
 nal also, arises from the common femoral or from the superficial. 
 In one very rare case, the circumflexa interna arose from the 
 external iliac.* Sometimes both circumflex arteries are fur- 
 nished from a common trunk. 
 
 ARTERLE perforaxtes. 
 
 The number of perforating arteries is very valuable. Some- 
 times the profimda passes backwards, behind the adductor mag- 
 nus, to the back of the thigh. Sometimes the perforans prima 
 is the only branch which passes through the adductor magnus, 
 and the other perforating branches arise from the superficial 
 femoral. These have been found to the number of five. 
 
 SUPERFICIAL FEMORAL ARTERY. 
 
 The superficial femoral artery is constant in its course and 
 manner of division ; but two remarkable deviations are on 
 record. In a person, on whom the operation for popliteal 
 aneurism was unsuccessfully performed, the femoral artery, 
 immediately below the origin of the profimda, divided into two 
 branches, which afterwards reunited in the tendinous canal of 
 the triceps. On examination after death, it was found that the 
 superficial branch alone was tied.-j- This division is analogous 
 
 * Burns. L c. p. 319. 
 
 f Lancet, vol. x. p. 629. An anomaly precisely similar is described by 
 Mr. Houston, in the fourth volume of the Dublin Hospital Reports : the 
 
32 
 
 to that which, much more frequently, takes place in the humeral 
 artery. 
 
 Sandifort (Ohserv. Anatom. Pathol, iv. 97,) mentions a case, 
 in which the femoral artery divided into posterior tihia] and 
 fihular, immediately under Poupart’s ligament. Besides the 
 high division just mentioned, Portal saw an example, in which 
 the femoral divided in the middle of the thigh.* 
 
 SUPERIOR AND INFERIOR ARTICULAR ARTERIES. 
 
 These are often double, at least on one side. Sometimes the 
 superior arise by a common trunk : the same remark is applica- 
 ble to the inferior.f 
 
 ANTERIOR TIBIAL ARTERY. 
 
 The anterior tihial does not always supply the vessels on the 
 front of the foot; for, not unfrequently, we find it terminating 
 on the lower part of the leg, while its place is supplied by the 
 anterior branch of the fibular, or by the posterior tihial. In 
 some rare cases, the anterior tihial artery does not exist, hut is 
 replaced, on the leg, by perforating branches of the posterior 
 tihial, and on the foot by the fibidar.J Peletan mentions a case, 
 in which the anterior tihial artery became superficial, running 
 down under the skin to the foot. Chirm - . Clin. t. i. p. 101. 
 
 INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL MALLEOLAR ARTERIES 
 
 Are sometimes double. In rare cases, they arise front the 
 fihular, or the posterior tihial, § 
 
 POSTERIOR TIBIAL ARTERY. 
 
 The posterior tihial artery, generally, is larger than either 
 the anterior tihial or the fibidar ; and is more constant in its 
 distribution than either of these vessels. The case has already 
 
 preparation is preserved in the museum of the College of Surgeons. Mr. 
 Houston has kindly permitted me to take a sketch of it. 
 
 * Anat. Medic, t. iv. p. 239. 
 
 •J- Meckel. 1. c. p. 475. 
 
 f Barclay. 1. c. p. 267. 
 
 § Meckel. 1. c. p. 482. 
 
33 
 
 been mentioned, in which it passes to the front of the foot, to 
 supply the branches of the anterior tibial. Sometimes the pos- 
 terior tihial is altogether wanting, its place being taken by 
 branches from the fibular, which is unusually large.* In a rare 
 example, which occurred in the dissecting-room of Trinity Col- 
 lege, there were two posterior tibial arteries. 
 
 PERONEAL OR FIBULAR ARTERY. 
 
 This artery varies much in size, being influenced, in great 
 measure, by the magnitude of the anterior tibial. Sometimes 
 it does not exist as a distinct vessel, but its place is supplied 
 by branches from the posterior tibial ; sometimes its anterior 
 branch is furnished by the anterior tibial, or in rare cases by a 
 perforating branch from the posterior tibial. When the anterior 
 tibial artery is small, we usually find the anterior branch of the 
 fibular is of considerable size, and takes the place of that artery 
 on the foot. In an example still more rare, the fibular artery 
 was continued to the sole of the foot, producing the external and 
 internal plantar arteries ; while the posterior tibial, penetrating 
 the interosseous ligament, took upon it the office of the anterior 
 tibial. 
 
 * Barclay. 1. c. p, 270. 
 
 FINIS. 
 
EXPLANATION OF THE PLATES. 
 
 TAB. I. 
 
 FIG. 1. 
 
 1. The right subclavian. The dotted lines represent the course of the 
 artery behind the arch. 2. The right carotid, furnishing the right verte- 
 bral (5). 3. The left carotid. 4. The left subclavian. 
 
 FIG. 2. 
 
 1. The right renal artery. 2. The superior mesenteric artery. 3. The 
 inferior mesenteric artery. 4, 4. The common iliac arteries. 
 
 FIG. 3. 
 
 1, The aorta. 2. The common trunk of both coronary arteries. 3. The 
 left coronary artery. 4. The right coronary artery. 
 
 TAB. II. 
 
 1,1. The vertebral arteries. 2,2. The inferior arteries of the cerebellum. 
 3, The basilar artery. 4, 4. The superior arteries of the cerebellum. 
 5, The left inferior artery of the cerebrum. 6. The posterior communicat- 
 ing branch of the circle of Willis, which in this instance joined the inferior 
 artery of the cerebrum to the superior artery of the cerebellum. 7, 7. The 
 right inferior artery of the cerebrum, arising from the carotid. 8, 8. The 
 carotid arteries. 9, 9. The anterior arteries of the cerebrum. 10. The 
 
36 
 
 anterior or transverse communicating branch of the circle of Willis. 11, 11. 
 Two very small branches, lost on the crus cerebri. There was no communi- 
 cation whatever between the carotid and vertebral arteries of this side. 
 
 TAB. III. 
 
 FIG. 1. 
 
 1, 1. The brachial artery. 2, 2. The radial artery, arising from the inner 
 side of the brachial. 3. The radial recurrent artery, taking its origin from 
 a transverse branch which joined the radial artery to the main trunk, 4. 
 The transverse branch. 5. A branch from this transverse vessel, which 
 joined another from the hrachial artery, thus making a circle of communica- 
 tion in the fold of the arm. 
 
 FIG. 2. 
 
 1. The brachial artery. 2. The radial artery, arising from the outer or 
 radial side of the brachial. 3. The radial recurrent artery, given off by a 
 transverse branch, between the radial and hrachial arteries. 4. The trans- 
 verse branch. 5. The ulnar artery. 6. The interosseous artery, 7. A 
 median artery, from the interosseous to the palmar arch. 
 
 FIG. 3. 
 
 1. The brachial artery. 2. A median artery, arising from the brachial, 
 and terminating in the palmar arch. 3. The radial artery. -1. The ulnar 
 artery. 
 
 TAB. IV. 
 
 FIG. 1. 
 
 1, 1. The brachial artery. 2, 2. The radial artery, arising from the 
 radial side of the brachial artery, near the axilla. 3 . The interosseous 
 artery. 4. The ulnar artery. 5. The superticialis volte, unusually' large. 
 C. A communicating branch from the superficialis vola; to the palmar arch. 
 
37 
 
 FIG. 2. 
 
 1, 1. The brachial artery. 2, 2, 4. The radial artery, arising from the 
 axillary, and crossing over the brachial, near the fold of the arm. 3, 3. The 
 uinar artery. 5, 5. A median branch from the brachial to the palm of the 
 hand. 6. The ulnar palmar artery of the thumb. 7. The radial palmar 
 artery of the index finger. 
 
 FIG. 3. 
 
 1. The brachial artery, dividing into two branches, which unite again 
 a little above the fold of the arm. 2. The radial artery. 3. The interos- 
 seous artery. 4. The ulnar artery. 5. The superficialis volte, large, and 
 uniting at an acute angle with the ulnar. 
 
 FIG. 4. 
 
 1, 2. Two brachial arteries, uniting at the bend of the arm. 3. The 
 radial recurrent artery. 4. The ulnar recurrent artery. 5. The radial 
 artery. G. The ulnar artery. 
 
 FIG. 5. 
 
 1. The brachial artery. 2. The radial artery, given off from the inside 
 of the brachial. 3. The radial recurrent artery. 4. The uluar recurrent 
 artery. 5, 5. A median branch from the continuation of the main trunk, 
 giving the ulnar palmar artery of the thumb, and the radial palmar artery 
 of the index finger. 6. The ulnar artery. 7, The interosseous artery. 
 
 FIG. 6. 
 
 1. The brachial artery. 2, 2, 2. The radial artery, from the inner side 
 of the brachial. 3. The radial recurrent artery, from the brachial. 4. The 
 ulnar recurrent, from the same artery. 5 , 5. A median branch, from the 
 
38 
 
 brachial artery, joining the superficial branch of the ulnar, and forming with 
 it the palmar arch. 6, 6. The interosseous artery, which terminates com- 
 pletely in the radial. 7, 7. The ulnar artery. 
 
 TAB. V. 
 
 FIG. 1. 
 
 1 . The common femoral artery. 2. The profunda femoris, passing over 
 the femoral vein. 3. The superficial femoral artery. 1. A branch arising 
 from the profunda, which supplied the place of the obturator artery. 5. The 
 femoral vein. 
 
 FIG. 2. 
 
 1. The common femoral artery. 2. The profunda femoris. 3. The 
 superficial femoral artery. 4. The femoral vein. 5. The internal epigas- 
 tric artery, which arose from the profunda, below Poupart’s ligament, and 
 ascended, across the femoral vein, to the rectus muscle. 
 
 FIG. 3. 
 
 1. The external iliac artery. 2. The obturator artery, arising from the 
 common femoral. 3. The dorsal artery of the penis, a branch of the obtur- 
 ator. 4. The profunda femoris. 
 
 TAB. VI. 
 
 FIG. 1. 
 
 1. The common femoral artery. 2. The profunda femoris. 3,4. Two 
 branches ef equal magnitude, into which the femoral artery divided. 5. The 
 point of union, in the tendinous canal of the triceps. 
 
39 
 
 FIG. 2. 
 
 1. The popliteal artery. 2. The fibular artery. 3, 1-. Two posterior 
 tibial arteries. 
 
 FIG. 3. 
 
 1. The fibular artery, 2. The posterior tibial artery. 3. The transverse 
 communicating branch, 4. A branch from the posterior tibial to the heel. 
 5. The artery as it divides into internal and external plantar arteries. 
 
 Note. — The Plate marked Fig, 1, Tab. 6, is taken from a preparation in 
 the Museum of the Dublin College of Surgeons. Those marked Fig. 1, 
 Tab. 2, Fig. 3, Tab. 5, were taken from my own dissections ; and the 
 remainder from preparations and casts preserved in Dr. Macartney’s Cabinet 
 of Varieties of Arteries, in the Museum of Trinity College. 
 
Tig. £>. 
 
 
 
Tatr.l 
 
 
Ta b. 3 . 
 
 
 %- 2 - 
 
 Fl J 5 
 
Tab.IV: 
 
 Fyl. 
 
 Flcj: 2. 
 
 Fy.3. 
 
T ab . 4. 
 
 Fyz 'Ftp.- 5. f {9' 6 ' 
 

Tab. 6. 
 
 Flj.3.