Unusual ending of the second dorsal metacarpal artery as proper palmar digital arteries

Abstract

Background: The proper palmar digital arteries arise infrequently from dorsal metacarpal arteries. This work reports the second dorsal metacarpal artery unusual ending and a vascular variation related to the superficial palmar arch. Materials and methods: Fresh human upper limbs routine dissection, from a male cadaver, injected with coloured elastomeric material, immersed in 10% formalin. Results: The second dorsal metacarpal artery presented terminal branches, the index finger medial proper digital palmar artery and the middle finger lateral proper digital palmar artery. At the division point of both terminal branches, the second dorsal metacarpal artery anastomoses with a thin forth common digital palmar artery. Conclusions: The value of this knowledge about the infrequent vascular disposition lies in vascularised flaps design using the second dorsal metacarpal artery.