Jelicic N, Gajisin S, Zbrodowski A
Institute of Anatomy, University of Beograd, School of Medicine, Yugoslavia.
Acta Anat (Basel). 1988;132(3):187-90.
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.
