Superficial palmar arch

Superficial palmar arch
Palm of left hand, showing position of skin creases and bones, and surface markings for the volar arches.
Details
Source	ulnar (primarily), superficial palmar branch of the radial artery
Branches	common palmar digital
Identifiers
Latin	arcus palmaris superficialis, arcus volaris superficialis
TA98	A12.2.09.056
TA2	4671
FMA	22834
Anatomical terminology

The superficial palmar arch (superficial volar arch) is formed predominantly by the ulnar artery, with a contribution from the superficial palmar branch of the radial artery.

The arch passes across the palm in a curve with its convexity downward.

If one were to fully extend the thumb, the superficial palmar arch would lie approximately at the level of a line drawn from the distal border of the thumb across the palm. The superficial palmar arch is more distal than the deep palmar arch.

Three common palmar digital arteries (also called ulnar metacarpal arteries) arise from the arch, proceeding down on the second, third, and fourth lumbrical muscles, respectively. They each receive a contribution from a palmar metacarpal artery. Near the level of the metacarpophalangeal joints, each common palmar digital artery divides into two proper palmar digital arteries.

See also

• Deep palmar arch
• Palmar carpal arch
• Dorsal carpal arch

Additional images

• 
  The palmar aponeurosis.
• 
  The radial and ulnar arteries.

External links

• lesson5artofhand at The Anatomy Lesson by Wesley Norman (Georgetown University)

This article incorporates text in the public domain from page 598 of the 20th edition of Gray's Anatomy (1918)