Proper Palmar Digital Arteries, Anterior View

Description

Palmar anatomy is presented with the proper palmar digital arteries traced along the radial and ulnar margins of each finger, running on the anterolateral aspects of the proximal, middle, and distal phalanges toward the fingertip pulp. Proximally, the common palmar digital arteries from the superficial palmar arch divide near the metacarpophalangeal joints, then continue distally as paired proper palmar digital arteries that parallel the digital nerves along the fibrous digital sheath. Carpal bones, metacarpals, and phalanges provide the bony framework beneath the vascular map, with superficial veins shown in blue as they course dorsally and proximally. These terminal vessels matter because they are the dominant arterial inflow to the volar skin, pulp, and nail bed, and their segmental course along the sides of the digits explains both patterns of fingertip ischemia and the brisk bleeding seen with transverse volar lacerations. Surgeons use this anatomy when planning Bruner incisions, raising digital flaps, and performing replantation or microsurgical repair, where preserving the neurovascular bundle and identifying the proper palmar digital artery just volar to the lateral digital crease can determine flap survival. Small vessel disease and vasospasm can also present here. Think Raynaud phenomenon and traumatic ulnar artery thrombosis with distal embolization. Use this plate in gross anatomy and hand surgery teaching to orient learners to the superficial palmar arch to digital artery continuum, and in clinical education on digital blocks, laceration repair, and fingertip reconstruction where vessel location guides safe dissection planes. It also fits surgical atlases, emergency medicine texts, and patient-facing explanations of finger vascular injury and revascularization. Anatomical accuracy verified by SciePro's Medical Advisory Board.