PERSISTENT MEDIAN ARTERY IN THE CARPAL TUNNEL

Introduction: Persistent median artery originates from the anterior interosseous artery in proximal one-third of the forearm and accompanies median nerve. Median artery may regress in the forearm or enter palm through the carpal tunnel deep to flexor retinaculum of wrist and supply palm by anastomosing with the superficial palmar arch. Objective: In present study the objective was to study presence of persistent median artery accompanying median nerve and its termination Materials and Methods: The study included 50 human cadaver upper limb specimens at the Department of Anatomy, Mysore Medical College & Research Institute, Mysore during 2011-13. These specimens fixed in 10% formalin were finely dissected and persistent median artery was traced from origin to termination. Results: Out of 50 human cadaver specimens, persistent median artery was present in 4 specimens (8%). All the 4 median arteries originated from anterior interosseous artery and were of palmar type which reached palm. Out of 4 median arteries, 3 median arteries (6%) took part in completion of superficial palmar arch, supplying the distal aspect of palm and 1 median artery (2%) directly supplied radial two and half fingers without forming arch. Conclusion: Knowledge of unusual variations helps in proper treatment of disorders of the median nerve. Presence of persistent median artery usually will be asymptomatic but may cause symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome or pronator teres syndrome when subjected to compression. Rarely this artery can be taken for reconstruction