Arcus palmaris superficialis.

The purpose of this study was to investigate in depth the arcus palmaris superficialis in order to evaluate two different views of the superficial blood supply of the palm; the classical view which puts emphasis on the existence of the arcus palmaris superficialis and a new interpretation in which the arcus palmaris superficialis is not mentioned. Fifty upper extremities from fresh human cadavers of both sexes, age range 20-80, were studied. The observations showed that the arcus palmaris superficialis was present in 97% of the cases, that in 85% of the cases it anastomosed with different arteries originating from the radial artery. In 2% of the cases the arteria mediana anterior contributes to the arch and in only 3% of the cases was the arcus palmaris superficialis incomplete. Therefore, it can be concluded that the arcus palmaris superficialis is the main blood vessel of the superficial region of the palm.