Brachial Artery
The artery whose pulsations can be palpated in the cubital area medial to the biceps tendon is the brachial artery (Answer A).
Anatomical Location and Clinical Landmarks
The brachial artery is definitively positioned at the cubital fossa where it can be palpated on the inner (medial) surface of the upper arm between the biceps and triceps muscles 1. This anatomical relationship makes it the primary vessel accessible for palpation in this specific location.
Key Anatomical Points:
The brachial artery is imaged and palpated above the antecubital fossa, making it the vessel of choice for clinical examination in this region 1
The ulnar and radial arteries are located distally in the forearm, not at the cubital area—the ulnar artery pulse is palpable on the flexor surface of the wrist medially, while the radial artery pulse is palpable on the flexor surface of the wrist laterally 1
The profunda brachii artery is a deep branch that does not course through the cubital fossa in a position amenable to palpation 2
Clinical Significance
Blood pressure measurement traditionally uses the brachial artery at the cubital fossa, with auscultation performed over this vessel while the cuff is placed on the upper arm 3
The brachial artery's consistent anatomical position makes it reliable for clinical assessment, though anatomical variations can occur in approximately 11% of cases, typically involving accessory branches rather than absence of the main vessel 2
Vascular anatomy in this region is important for surgical procedures, including distal biceps tendon repair, where the brachial artery and its branches (particularly the radial recurrent artery) must be identified to avoid vascular complications 4
The answer is unequivocally A. Brachial, as this is the only major artery that courses through the cubital area in a position medial to the biceps tendon where pulsations can be reliably palpated during physical examination.