Local vascular contribution of the superficial palmar arch.

The aim of the present study was to establish a precise topography of the arterial supply of the different layers in the palm of the human hand. Two hundred upper extremities from fresh human cadavers aged 20-80 years were injected either by coloured latex or by India ink and gelatine. Some of our specimens were treated by the Spalteholz technique of transclarification, while some others were treated by acid corrosion. All of the specimens were dissected under the dissecting microscope. The superficial palmar arch (SPA) is the main vascular structure of the palm of the hand. Regardless of its size and of its variation, in addition to the common palmar digital arteries, the SPA supplies the superficial flexor tendons, flexor retinaculum, median and ulnar nerves, tendon of the flexor pollicis longus muscle, lumbrical muscles, palmar aponeurosis and the skin of the palm of the hand. These data may be of interest to those involved in hand surgery.