During a wide study of the arterial variations in the Greek population, we examined the arterial trunks, arising from the subclavian and axillary arteries.150 cadavers were examined by the Forensic Service of Athens University.

SUBCLAVIAN ARTERY

The focal point of our research was the origin of the inferior thyroid, the suprascapular and the transversal cervical artery. In 6.6% of our cases all three of the mentioned arteries had a common origin. As far as the rest 93.4% is concerned, we came to the following conclusions:

A. There was only one trunk without the participation of the pleurocervical trunk (81.3%)

1. The thyrocervical trunk is formed by the inferior thyroid, the suprascapular and the transversal cervical branches (classical anatomic knowledge) (33.3%)

2. The internal mammary artery arises from the thyrocervical trunk (9.3%)

3. The trunk is formed by the inferior thyroid and the suprascapular artery (26.6%)

4. The trunk is formed by the inferior thyroid, the supra-scapular and the internal mammary artery (6.6%)

5. There are two trunks: the first one is formed by the inferior thyroid and the suprascapular and the second one by the transversal cervical and the internalmammary artery (2.6%)

6. There are two trunks: the first one is formed by the inferior thyroid and the transversal cervical artery and the second one by the suprascapular and the internal mammary artery (4%)

B. Participation of the pleurocervical trunk (12%)

1. The transversal cervical artery with the pleurocervical trunk (6%)

2. The pleurocervical trunk arises from the internal mammary artery (2%)

3. The pleurocervical trunk with the suprascapular artery (1.3%)

4. The inferior thyroid artery with the pleurocervical trunk (1.3%)

5. The pleurocervical trunk with the inferior thyroid and the suprascapular artery (1.3%)

AXILLARY ARTERY

As far as the axillary is concerned, the 12% of the cadavers follow the basic model. As far as the rest of the cases are concerned, we concluded that:

A. Some branches form common trunks (48%)

1. The lateral thoracic and the dorsothoracic artery form a common trunk (11.3%)

2. The lateral thoracic together with the subscapular artery form a common trunk (9.3%)

3. The subscapular and the posterior circumflex brachial artery (9.3%)

4. Both the circumflex brachial arteries form a common trunk (18%) B. The arteries of the arm arise from the axillary artery (21.3%)

1. The profunda brachial artery arises from the axillary artery (11.3%)

2. The superficial brachial artery arises from the axillary artery (5.3%)

3. The profunda brachial artery arises from the posterior circumflex brachial artery (4.6%) C. Special cases (18.6%)

1. There are supplementary branches in the parries (5.3%)

2. Separate origin of the circumflex scapular artery and the dorsothoracic artery (5.3%)

3. The dorsothoracic artery is short compared to the lateral thoracic artery (2.6%)

4. The posterior circumflex artery arises from the brachial artery (5.3%)

During our research we studied the vessels of the leg and especially the anatomic variations of the tibial, peroneal and pedis arteries. The orthopedic surgeons, especially those who are specialized in operant radiology and angiography, should be conversant with all the anatomic variations of the vessels, running below the popliteal level. Our research was carried out in the Anatomic Laboratory of Athens University and we dissected 100 cadavers. We had great difficulties in describing the arteries, which run below the level of the popliteal bothrium. We have agreed in regarding the peroneal artery as the basic one, because it substitutes for the tibial artery when the last one is missing. When the anterior tibial is missing, the dorsalis pedis arises from the peroneal artery. In a same way, when the posterior tibial is missing, the pedis arteries arise from the peroneal artery. Very interesting is the variability of the branch, which supplies the tibial bone. In 50% of the cases this branch arises from the posterior tibial-peroneal trunk or from the posterior and anterior tibial artery or rarely from the peroneal and popliteal artery. The origin of the branch, which supplies the tibial bone, can affect the morphology of the bone (the correspondent foramen of the tibial bone).

The variations can be classified in the following way:

The typical anatomic knowledge: The peroneal artery gives an anastomosis branch to the posterior tibial artery and a perforating branch to the anterior tibial artery (85%)