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
Siehe auch:
- Arteria ulnaris
- Arteria radialis
- Arcus palmaris profundus
- Hypothenar-Hammer-Syndrom
- Arteriae digitales palmares communes
und weiter:
Assoziationen und Differentialdiagnosen zu Arcus palmaris superficialis: 
