Presentation of the vascular supply of the proximal ulna using a sequential plastination technique.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to demonstrate the peri- and intraosseous vascular supply of the proximal ulna.

Methods: Eleven fresh human cadaveric elbows were sequentially plastinated beginning with arterial injection, followed by block and secondary slice plastination of the whole elbow. With this technique, we obtained completely transparent cadaveric slices in which the peri- and intraosseous vascular architecture could be studied.

Results: Proximal ulna vascularization is due to an arterial network: a superior and inferior collateral ulnar artery and the profunda brachial artery climbing to the olecranon from proximal. An anterior artery and a posterior recurrent artery climb up distally to the medial parts of the ulna and an interosseous recurrent artery is responsible for the lateral and posterolateral proximal part of the ulna. The intraosseous vascularization is due to directly penetrating branches out of the posterior recurrent ulnar artery and a vascular plexus at the olecranon tip. In addition, we saw a major distal bone penetration branch coming from the recurrent posterior artery, climbing intraosseously without junction to the proximal penetrating branches.

Conclusion: The peri- and intraosseous vascularization of the proximal ulna was shown. A transitional zone of the intraosseous vascularization of the proximal ulna was detected.