A cadaveric study on anatomical variations of the superficial palmar arch

Abstract

Background: The Superficial Palmar arch (SPA) is an anastomosis between the ulnar and radial artery in the palm. Maximum contribution in the arch is by an ulnar artery and it is completed by superficial palmar branch of radial artery or arteria princeps pollicis or arteria radialis indicis or median artery. The SPA develops as a terminal plexus of axis artery which is later joined by median, ulnar and radial arteries as these arteries develop. Materials & Methods: Present study conducted in the Department of Anatomy, Chettinad Hospital and Research Institute on 50 (28 right and 22 left) formalin fixed hands were used. The variations observed were classified as per Coleman and Anson, 1961, classification of the superficial palmar arch. Results: As per Coleman and Anson classification, complete arch of type A was seen in 43 hands (86%) and of type B in 3 hands (6%). In this study incomplete arch was seen in 4 hands (8%, 1 right and 3 left), persistent median artery type H supplying the radial side of the palm and digits was seen in only one hand (2%). Conclusion: The data regarding the study on variations of SPA is helpful in crushing injury of hand, arterial grafting, and vascular trauma of the upper extremity.