The Medial Collateral Artery is Not Medial
Purpose: Current literature interchangeably uses the terms “middle” and “medial” for the middle collateral artery (MCA). However, the term “medial” implies that the artery is positioned on the medial aspect of the arm, which may lead to misunderstandings in medical education or interdisciplinary com...
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| Language: | English |
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Elsevier
2025-05-01
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| Series: | Journal of Hand Surgery Global Online |
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| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2589514125000313 |
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| author | Casey N. Urban, BS Daniel A. Osei, MD Scott W. Wolfe, MD |
| author_facet | Casey N. Urban, BS Daniel A. Osei, MD Scott W. Wolfe, MD |
| author_sort | Casey N. Urban, BS |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Purpose: Current literature interchangeably uses the terms “middle” and “medial” for the middle collateral artery (MCA). However, the term “medial” implies that the artery is positioned on the medial aspect of the arm, which may lead to misunderstandings in medical education or interdisciplinary communication. Our purpose is to provide anatomic and historical support for the use of the original “middle collateral artery” terminology. Methods: We reviewed a 300-year history of anatomy texts to elucidate the origin of the MCA nomenclature. In three cadaveric specimens, the MCA was dissected following latex infusion and its vascular contribution to three pedicled flaps was demonstrated. In three additional specimens, the arms were imaged with computed tomography and three-dimensional reconstruction following barium sulfate infusion. Results: The term “middle” collateral artery predates the term “medial” collateral artery by 80 years. The origin of the term “medial” collateral artery is likely a mistranslation of the predecessor Latin term, “arteria collateralis media.” Our cadaveric dissections and computed tomography imaging confirmed that the MCA’s course is on the posterolateral side of the arm between the anterolateral-positioned radial collateral artery and the medial-positioned superior ulnar collateral artery. Conclusion: The term “medial” collateral artery is an anatomic misnomer. “Middle” collateral artery, its original name, accurately reflects its posterolateral position in the arm between the radial collateral artery and superior ulnar collateral artery. We recommend that authors use the term “middle” collateral artery based on its anatomical position and recommend discontinuation of the term “medial” collateral artery in the scientific literature. Clinical Relevance: Given the MCA’s surgical significance in reconstructive flaps, nonanatomic labeling of the MCA as “medial” may lead to misunderstandings in medical education and surgical site identification. Replacing a misnomer with an anatomically accurate name would improve professional communication and teaching. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-520cd4ef71804e81af0f49311bcd908b |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2589-5141 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-05-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Hand Surgery Global Online |
| spelling | doaj-art-520cd4ef71804e81af0f49311bcd908b2025-08-20T03:47:41ZengElsevierJournal of Hand Surgery Global Online2589-51412025-05-017310071210.1016/j.jhsg.2025.02.005The Medial Collateral Artery is Not MedialCasey N. Urban, BS0Daniel A. Osei, MD1Scott W. Wolfe, MD2Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Hand and Upper Extremity Service, Hospital for Special Surgery, New York, NYDepartment of Orthopedic Surgery, Hand and Upper Extremity Service, Hospital for Special Surgery, New York, NYDepartment of Orthopedic Surgery, Hand and Upper Extremity Service, Hospital for Special Surgery, New York, NY; Corresponding author: Scott W. Wolfe, MD, Hospital for Special Surgery, East River Professional Building, 523 East 72nd Street, New York, NY 10021.Purpose: Current literature interchangeably uses the terms “middle” and “medial” for the middle collateral artery (MCA). However, the term “medial” implies that the artery is positioned on the medial aspect of the arm, which may lead to misunderstandings in medical education or interdisciplinary communication. Our purpose is to provide anatomic and historical support for the use of the original “middle collateral artery” terminology. Methods: We reviewed a 300-year history of anatomy texts to elucidate the origin of the MCA nomenclature. In three cadaveric specimens, the MCA was dissected following latex infusion and its vascular contribution to three pedicled flaps was demonstrated. In three additional specimens, the arms were imaged with computed tomography and three-dimensional reconstruction following barium sulfate infusion. Results: The term “middle” collateral artery predates the term “medial” collateral artery by 80 years. The origin of the term “medial” collateral artery is likely a mistranslation of the predecessor Latin term, “arteria collateralis media.” Our cadaveric dissections and computed tomography imaging confirmed that the MCA’s course is on the posterolateral side of the arm between the anterolateral-positioned radial collateral artery and the medial-positioned superior ulnar collateral artery. Conclusion: The term “medial” collateral artery is an anatomic misnomer. “Middle” collateral artery, its original name, accurately reflects its posterolateral position in the arm between the radial collateral artery and superior ulnar collateral artery. We recommend that authors use the term “middle” collateral artery based on its anatomical position and recommend discontinuation of the term “medial” collateral artery in the scientific literature. Clinical Relevance: Given the MCA’s surgical significance in reconstructive flaps, nonanatomic labeling of the MCA as “medial” may lead to misunderstandings in medical education and surgical site identification. Replacing a misnomer with an anatomically accurate name would improve professional communication and teaching.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2589514125000313Computed tomographyMedial collateral arteryMiddle collateral arteryPedicle flapProfunda brachii |
| spellingShingle | Casey N. Urban, BS Daniel A. Osei, MD Scott W. Wolfe, MD The Medial Collateral Artery is Not Medial Journal of Hand Surgery Global Online Computed tomography Medial collateral artery Middle collateral artery Pedicle flap Profunda brachii |
| title | The Medial Collateral Artery is Not Medial |
| title_full | The Medial Collateral Artery is Not Medial |
| title_fullStr | The Medial Collateral Artery is Not Medial |
| title_full_unstemmed | The Medial Collateral Artery is Not Medial |
| title_short | The Medial Collateral Artery is Not Medial |
| title_sort | medial collateral artery is not medial |
| topic | Computed tomography Medial collateral artery Middle collateral artery Pedicle flap Profunda brachii |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2589514125000313 |
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