Superficial palmar arch
Encyclopedia
The superficial palmar arch is formed predominantly by the ulnar artery
, with a contribution from the superficial palmar branch of the radial artery. However, in some individuals the contribution from the radial artery might be absent, and instead anastomoses with either the princeps pollicis artery
, the radialis indicis artery, or the median artery
, the former two of which are branches from the radial artery.
Alternative names for this arterial arch are: superficial volar arch, superficial ulnar arch, arcus palmaris superficialis, or arcus volaris superficialis.
The arch passes across the palm
in a curve with its convexity downward.
If one were to fully extend the thumb, the superficial palmar arch would lie approximately at the level of a line drawn from the distal border of the thumb across the palm. The superficial palmar arch is more distal than the deep palmar arch
.
Three common palmar digital arteries arise from the arch, proceeding down on the second, third, and fourth lumbrical muscles
, respectively. They each receive a contribution from a palmar metacarpal artery. Near the level of the metacarpophalangeal joints, each common palmar digital artery divides into two proper palmar digital arteries
.
Ulnar artery
The ulnar artery is the main blood vessel, with oxygenated blood, of the medial aspect of the forearm. It arises from the brachial artery and terminates in the superficial palmar arch, which joins with the superficial branch of the radial artery...
, with a contribution from the superficial palmar branch of the radial artery. However, in some individuals the contribution from the radial artery might be absent, and instead anastomoses with either the princeps pollicis artery
Princeps pollicis artery
The princeps pollicis arises from the radial artery just as it turns medially towards the deep part of the hand; it descends between the first dorsal interosseous muscle and the oblique head of the adductor pollicis, along the medial side of the first metacarpal bone to the base of the proximal...
, the radialis indicis artery, or the median artery
Median artery
The median artery is an artery that is occasionally found in humans and other animals.It is present in 8% of individuals. When present, it is found in the forearm, between the radial artery and ulnar artery. It runs with the median nerve and supplies the same structures as that nerve...
, the former two of which are branches from the radial artery.
Alternative names for this arterial arch are: superficial volar arch, superficial ulnar arch, arcus palmaris superficialis, or arcus volaris superficialis.
The arch passes across the palm
Hand
A hand is a prehensile, multi-fingered extremity located at the end of an arm or forelimb of primates such as humans, chimpanzees, monkeys, and lemurs...
in a curve with its convexity downward.
If one were to fully extend the thumb, the superficial palmar arch would lie approximately at the level of a line drawn from the distal border of the thumb across the palm. The superficial palmar arch is more distal than the deep palmar arch
Deep palmar arch
The deep palmar arch is an arterial network found in the palm. It is usually formed mainly from the terminal part of the radial artery, with the ulnar artery contributing via its deep palmar branch...
.
Three common palmar digital arteries arise from the arch, proceeding down on the second, third, and fourth lumbrical muscles
Lumbricals of the hand
The lumbricals are intrinsic muscles of the hand that flex the metacarpophalangeal joints and extend the interphalangeal joints.-Structure:There are four of these small, worm-like muscles on each hand. These muscles are unusual in that they do not attach to bone...
, respectively. They each receive a contribution from a palmar metacarpal artery. Near the level of the metacarpophalangeal joints, each common palmar digital artery divides into two proper palmar digital arteries
Proper palmar digital arteries
The proper palmar digital arteries travel along the sides of the phalanges , each artery lying just below its corresponding digital nerve....
.