superficial palmar arch

The superficial palmar arch originates as the terminal branch of the ulnar artery, distal to the flexor retinaculum . It is located superficial to the long flexor tendons of the digits and deep to the palmar aponeurosis.

The superficial palmar arch travels distally, then laterally across the metacarpals. In two-thirds of cases, it remains incomplete, forming a “hockey-stick” shape . In the remainder, it anastomoses with the superficial palmar branch of the radial artery and the radialis indicis artery, forming a complete arch.

The superficial palmar arch gives rise to the common palmar digital arteries. A separate branch provides a palmar digital artery to the lateral surface of the 5th digit .

The superficial palmar arch supplies the following structures :

• lumbricals
• opponens pollicis
• flexor pollicis brevis
• abductor pollicis brevis
• digits (via the common palmar digital arteries)

Clinical significance

• Allen test

Siehe auch:

• Arteria ulnaris
• Arteria radialis
• Arcus palmaris profundus
• Hypothenar-Hammer-Syndrom
• Arteriae digitales palmares communes

und weiter:

• Handangiographie
• Handarterien
• Varianten Arcus palmaris superficialis