A rare anatomical variation of the palmar vascular pattern: a case report

Abstract

Background: The anatomy of the palmar vascular arches and their variations, being one of the most challenging anatomical regions for reconstructive surgeon.Case Presentation: During a routine dissection of a male adult cadaver in dissection hall of zahedan university of medical sciences, a complex, unilateral and rare variation in the pattern of blood supply to the palm of the right hand was observed. The history of the individual and cause of the death is not known. In this cadaver there was an incomplete superficial palmar arterial arch had no contribution from the radial artery. The superficial palmar arch giving only one common palmar digital artery, that supply second interdigital space and then it terminated by giving rise to a common trunk for princeps pollicis and radialis indicis arteries. Absence of the second and third common palmar digital artery with the contiguous sides of the third and forth interdigital spaces supply by the second and third palmar metacarpal arteries from the deep palmar arch respectively. The third palmar metacarpal artery giving rise to a branch which supplies the medial side of the little finger.Conclusion: Having knowledge of the variations of vascular patterns resulting from a number of developmental errors could provide an important source of information for Anatomists, Radiologist, reconstructive and vascular surgeons.

Keywords

• anatomic variations
• palmar blood vessels
• upper extremity