METHOD: An original procedure is used for the specimens. The hands of fresh corpses preserved in a cialit solution are prepared by an injection of resin mixed with a leadsalt into the arteries. The accurate dissection of the hand's arteries is compared to the X rays. RESULTS: 1) Palmar arci are rare. We found an arcus palmaris superficialis in 10% and an arcus palmaris profundus in about 50% of the specimens. To avoid a misinterpretation of X rays, three incidences were used (one full-face and two oblique incidence: a transversal one at 15 degrees and a vertical or longitudinal one at 30 degrees). 2) All fingers receive arteries of double origin in 80% of the cases. Only in 20% of all cases, the thumb or the little finger have an exclusive vascularisation (radial for the thumb and ulnar for the little finger). 3) All digital anastomoses are dissected--Retrotendineous anastomoses are patent and large.
METHOD: An original procedure is used for the specimens. The hands of fresh corpses preserved in a cialit solution are prepared by an injection of resin mixed with a leadsalt into the arteries. The accurate dissection of the hand's arteries is compared to the X rays. RESULTS: 1) Palmar arci are rare. We found an arcus palmaris superficialis in 10% and an arcus palmaris profundus in about 50% of the specimens. To avoid a misinterpretation of X rays, three incidences were used (one full-face and two oblique incidence: a transversal one at 15 degrees and a vertical or longitudinal one at 30 degrees). 2) All fingers receive arteries of double origin in 80% of the cases. Only in 20% of all cases, the thumb or the little finger have an exclusive vascularisation (radial for the thumb and ulnar for the little finger). 3) All digital anastomoses are dissected--Retrotendineous anastomoses are patent and large.