Radial and Ulnar Digital Arteries Index, Long, Ring and Little and Vein Anatomy

  • The palmar digital arteries of the fingers originate from the bifurcation of the common digital arteries.
  • In the fingers the neurovascular bundles are supported by the Grayson’s and Cleland’s ligaments which are primarily located between the MP, PIP, and DIP joints.
  • The palmar digital arteries of the fingers communicate with each other by transverse digital arches.
  • The palmar digital arteries of the fingers send vessels through the short and long vincula to provide blood supply to the FDP and FDS tendons.
  • The smallest arteries in the hand are the ulnar digital artery of the little, radial digital artery of the index, and radial digital artery of the thumb.
Diagrams & Photos
  • The common digital arteries originating from the superficial palmar arch. Distally the common digital arteries divide into the radial and ulnar proper digital arteries. The index radial digital is an exception. It originates directly from the radial artery or in some cases from the princeps pollicis artery.
    The common digital arteries originating from the superficial palmar arch. Distally the common digital arteries divide into the radial and ulnar proper digital arteries. The index radial digital is an exception. It originates directly from the radial artery or in some cases from the princeps pollicis artery.
  • Distal phalanx (DP), middle phalanx (MP), proximal phalanx (PP), metacarpal (M), and palmar aponeurosis (PA). Note the common digital artery (CDA) dividing into the two proper digital arteries (DA). The proximal transverse digital arch (PTDA), the intermediate or middle transverse digital arch (ITDA), and the distal transverse digital arch (DTDA) branches of the digital artery are also shown.
    Distal phalanx (DP), middle phalanx (MP), proximal phalanx (PP), metacarpal (M), and palmar aponeurosis (PA). Note the common digital artery (CDA) dividing into the two proper digital arteries (DA). The proximal transverse digital arch (PTDA), the intermediate or middle transverse digital arch (ITDA), and the distal transverse digital arch (DTDA) branches of the digital artery are also shown.
Key Points

Arteries:

  • The radial digital artery of the index along with the princeps pollicis are both terminal branches of dorsal part of the radial artery.
  • 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.

Veins:

  • The palmar digits are drained by a superficial and deep venous system.
  • Digital vena comitantes have a variable presence in this venous drainage system.
  • Palmar (volar) digital veins connected to dorsal veins by oblique intercapitular or communicating veins thar drain into veins of the dorsal finger, hand, and wrist.
Anatomy References
Anatomic Abbreviations
Hand Surgery Resource Anatomy Diagnostic Guide (Chapter)