Struthers arcade

Last edited and medically reviewed by Alaric Steinmetz on 16.03.2023

Synonyms: Arcade of Struthers, Struthersche Arkade

The Struthers arcade is a thickening of the brachial fascia.

Historical

The name Struthers arcade derives from the Scottish anatomist John Struthers. However, he did not describe this fascial arch, but rather the Struthers ligament, a rare ligamentous structure at the distal upper arm[^2].

Anatomy

In an anatomical study, the Struthers arcade was found to extend 3 to 7.5 cm in length, and the distance from the medial epicondyle ranged from 2.5 to 7.0 cm[^1].

Figure

Ulnar nerve and ligaments — Schematic illustration of the course of the ulnar nerve and its anatomical relationship to the arcade of Struthers, Osborne's ligament, and the deep flexor fascia. Figure adapted from Hans Assmus, Gregor Antoniadis (eds.) - Nervenkompressionssyndrome Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg (2015).

Clinical relevance

The Struthers arcade can cause compression of the Ulnar nerve.

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