title: Microarterial anatomy of the lesser toe proximal interphalangeal joints.
abstract: Successful free tissue transfer requires detailed knowledge of the pertinent microvascular anatomy of the donor site. The lesser toe proximal interphalangeal joints are a source of vascularized autologous tissue. In 20 adult cadaver feet, the arterial anatomy of the second, third, and fourth toes was studied using colored latex and India ink injection. The second, third, and fourth dorsal metatarsal arteries produced small or absent dorsal digital arteries in 72.5% of distal dissections. The proper digital arteries were 0.93 to 1.37 cm in length. An additional 2.3 to 2.83 cm of length can be gained by use of the plantar metatarsal arteries if the dorsal metatarsal or dorsal digital arteries are inadequate. The diameter of the medial proper digital arteries (range, 1.2-1.26 mm) was larger than the lateral proper digital arteries (range, 0.66-0.99 mm). The proper digital arteries of the lesser toes provide the predominant arterial supply of the proximal interphalangeal joints through a system of transverse and longitudinal arches.
authors.affiliation: The Raymond M. Curtis Hand Center, The Union Memorial Hospital, Baltimore, MD, USA.
authors.forename: Y G
authors.initials: YG
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: P A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Cook
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: McClinton
authors.forename: R A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Espinosa
authors.forename: E F
authors.initials: EF
authors.lastname: Wilgis
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001158:Arteries / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D002102:Cadaver; D002244:Carbon; D017885:Collateral Ligaments / Q000098:blood supply; D004396:Coloring Agents; D006801:Humans; D017746:Joint Capsule / Q000098:blood supply; D007840:Latex; D008682:Metatarsal Bones / Q000098:blood supply; D008833:Microcirculation / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D008875:Middle Aged; D016628:Replica Techniques; D012828:Silicones; D013710:Tendons / Q000098:blood supply; D014033:Toe Joint / Q000098:blood supply*; D014182:Transplantation, Autologous
chemical_list: D004396:Coloring Agents; D007840:Latex; D012828:Silicones; C028433:chinese ink; D002244:Carbon