Common Digital Arteries in Second, Third and Fourth Webs and Vein Exam
- The radial arteries, ulnar digital arteries, and the common digital arteries are too small to palpate on physical examination.
- The overall function of the digital arteries and the common digital arteries can be evaluated by checking capillary refill of the digits.
- The radial and ulnar digital artery capillary refill can also be evaluated with the digital Allen test.
- Doppler exam can be used to check the radial arteries, ulnar digital arteries, and the common digital arteries pulses.
- The digital vena comitantes are too small to see or palpate on exam.
Diagrams & Photos
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The common digital arteries originating from the superficial palmar arch. Distally the common digital arteries divide into the radial and ulnar proper digital arteries. -
Compressing capillary bed of finger pulp. -
Empty (white) capillary bed of finger pulp. -
Refilled(red) capillary bed of finger pulp. -
Doppler exam of the ring radial digital artery near its common digital artery origin.
Key Points
- The proximal, middle (intermediate), and distal transverse digital arches provide arterial connections between the radial and ulnar digital arteries.
- The middle (intermediate) and distal transverse digital arches are located near the C1 and C2 pulleys respectively.
- The proximal, middle (intermediate), and distal transverse digital arches are dorsal to the flexor tendons.
- The transverse vascular arches of the digits allow the use of distally based island flaps during finger reconstruction procedures.