Deep palmar arch
Encyclopedia
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. This is in contrast to the superficial palmar arch
, which is formed predominantly by the ulnar artery
.
The deep palmar arch lies upon the bases of the metacarpal bones and on the interossei
of the hand, being covered by the oblique head of the adductor pollicis muscle, the flexor tendons of the fingers, and the lumbricals of the hand
.
Alongside of it, but running in the opposite direction—that is to say, toward the radial side of the hand—is the deep branch of the ulnar nerve
.
The superficial palmar arch
is more distally located than the deep palmar arch. If one were to fully extend the thumb and draw a line from the distal border of the thumb across the palm, this would be the level of the superficial palmar arch. The deep palmar arch is about a finger width proximal to this.
From the deep palmar arch emerge palmar metacarpal arteries.
Radial artery
In human anatomy, the radial artery is the main blood vessel, with oxygenated blood, of the lateral aspect of the forearm.-Course:The radial artery arises from the bifurcation of the brachial artery in the cubital fossa. It runs distally on the anterior part of the forearm...
, with the ulnar artery
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...
contributing via its deep palmar branch. This is in contrast to the superficial palmar arch
Superficial palmar arch
The superficial palmar arch is formed predominantly by the ulnar artery, with a contribution from the superficial palmar branch of the radial artery...
, which is formed predominantly by the ulnar artery
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...
.
The deep palmar arch lies upon the bases of the metacarpal bones and on the interossei
Interossei
Interossei refer to muscles between certain bones. There are many interossei in a human body. Specific interossei include:-On the hands:* Dorsal interossei muscles of the hand* Palmar interossei muscles-On the feet:...
of the hand, being covered by the oblique head of the adductor pollicis muscle, the flexor tendons of the fingers, and the lumbricals of the hand
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...
.
Alongside of it, but running in the opposite direction—that is to say, toward the radial side of the hand—is the deep branch of the ulnar nerve
Ulnar nerve
In human anatomy, the ulnar nerve is a nerve which runs near the ulna bone. The ulnar collateral ligament of elbow joint is in relation with the ulnar nerve. The nerve is the largest unprotected nerve in the human body , so injury is common...
.
The superficial palmar arch
Superficial palmar arch
The superficial palmar arch is formed predominantly by the ulnar artery, with a contribution from the superficial palmar branch of the radial artery...
is more distally located than the deep palmar arch. If one were to fully extend the thumb and draw a line from the distal border of the thumb across the palm, this would be the level of the superficial palmar arch. The deep palmar arch is about a finger width proximal to this.
From the deep palmar arch emerge palmar metacarpal arteries.