Third Common Palmar Digital Artery

Description

Centered in an anterior (palmar) view of the male hand, the third common palmar digital artery courses distally from the superficial palmar arch across the central palm toward the adjacent sides of the third and fourth digits. Proximally, the vessel lies deep to the palmar aponeurosis and superficial to the flexor tendons within the carpal tunnel outflow, then travels alongside common palmar digital nerves toward the metacarpophalangeal region. Distally, it bifurcates into proper palmar digital arteries that run on either side of the finger, closely applied to the flexor tendon sheath and phalanges. Small accompanying veins and fine nerve branches track in parallel. A dense field. Clinically, this artery matters because it sits directly in the working corridor for palmar fasciectomy in Dupuytren disease, where spiral cords can displace the digital neurovascular bundle superficially and medially, raising the risk of arterial laceration and postoperative ischemia. The same anatomy underpins planning for volar lacerations and replantation, since reliable identification of common versus proper palmar digital arteries guides microvascular repair and predicts perfusion to the fingertip pulp. Its relationship to the lumbricals and interossei also supports teaching why bleeding in the web spaces can be brisk and difficult to control without precise clamp placement. Use this asset for upper-limb anatomy labs, operative anatomy teaching for hand surgery fellows, and medical illustration plates covering the superficial palmar arch and common palmar digital artery branching patterns. It also fits patient-education materials on digital artery injury, palmar laceration repair, and postoperative vascular checks after trigger finger release or Dupuytren surgery. Anatomical accuracy verified by SciePro's Medical Advisory Board.