Unusual vascularization and nerve supply of the fifth finger.
During a dissection course, an unusual variation in vascularization and nerve supply of the fifth finger of the right hand was found in a 73-year-old human male cadaver. The proper digital palmar artery arose from the superficial branch of the ulnar artery distel to the Guyon's canal. The proper digital palmar artery coursed first palmar to the ulnar nerve then between the abductor minimi and flexor digiti minimi muscles to reach the ulnar side of the fifth finger. Besides this, the ulnar border of the fifth finger was supplied on its palmar side by the dorsal branch of the ulnar nerve, which gave off two tiny twigs for the sensory innervation on the dorsal side of the same finger.
Institute of Anatomy, Medical University Graz, Harrachgasse 21, A-8010 Graz, Austria. gunther.windisch@meduni-graz.at
Gunther
G
Windisch
D000368:Aged; D002102:Cadaver; D005385:Fingers / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000294:innervation*; D007839:Functional Laterality; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D017535:Ulnar Artery / Q000002:abnormalities*; D014459:Ulnar Nerve / Q000002:abnormalities*