Superficial palmar arch

Infobox Artery
Name = PAGENAME
Latin = arcus palmaris superficialis, arcus volaris superficialis
GraySubject = 152
GrayPage = 598


Caption = Palm of left hand, showing position of skin creases and bones, and surface markings for the volar arches.


Caption2 =
BranchFrom = ulnar (primarily), superficial palmar branch of the radial artery
BranchTo = common palmar digital
Vein = superficial palmar venous arch
Supplies =
MeshName =
MeshNumber =
DorlandsPre = a_58
DorlandsSuf = 12150655
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 anatomizes with either the princeps pollicis artery, the radialis indeces 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 ["Palmar" and "volar" may be used synonymously, but "volar" is less common.] , superficial ulnar arch, arcus palmaris superficialis [This is the official and international Latin term as defined by the Terminologia Anatomica (TA), but in English speaking countries and especially the US, "superficial palmar arch" is more commonly used.] , or arcus volaris superficialis. [Again, "palmar" and "volar" may be used synonymously, but "arcus volaris superficialis" does not occur in the TA, and can therefore be considered deprecated.]

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.

ee also

* Deep palmar arch
* Palmar carpal arch
* Dorsal carpal arch

=Additional

Footnotes and references

External links

*
* - "Palm of the hand, superficial dissection, anterior view"