An anatomical study of the dorsal cutaneous branches of the digital arteries.

This study describes the anatomy of the dorsal digital arteries in the 144 fingers of 18 pairs of fresh human cadaver hands. Previous studies have shown two constant branches in the proximal and middle pulp spaces from each proper digital artery. We have shown that these branches have consistent sites of origin at predictable distances from the proximal interphalangeal joint. Thus cutaneous flaps can be safely planned on these dorsal vessels.