A CASE REPORT OF VARIANT FORMATION AND DISTRIBUTION OF SUPERFICIAL PALMAR ARCH

A rare variation of unilateral incomplete superficial palmar arch was observed during routine dissection, in a 55 year old female cadaver. The superficial palmar arch was formed exclusively by superficial branch of ulnar artery. The arch gave rise to a proper palmar digital artery to ulnar side of little finger, three common palmar digital arteries to the medial three web spaces, and a common trunk which gave rise to a proper palmar digital artery to radial side of thumb and first common palmar metacarpal artery which in turn divided into two proper palmar digital arteries to radial side of index finger and ulnar side of thumb. In this case there is no anastomosis between ulnar artery with radial artery or median artery (ulnar predominance). As superficial palmar arch is a main vascular structure of the palm, sound anatomical knowledge regarding the possible variations in its formation and branching pattern is important for surgeons dealing with reconstructive hand surgery and those concerned with functional anatomy of the hand.