Arterial anatomy of the hallucal sesamoids.
The aim of this study was to analyze the arterial supply of the sesamoid bones of the hallux. Twenty-two feet from adult cadavers were injected with epoxide resin or an acrylic polymer in methyl methacrylate (Acrifix) and subsequently processed by two slice plastination methods and the enzyme maceration technique. Afterwards, the arterial supply of the sesamoid bones was studied. The first plantar metatarsal artery provided a medial branch to the medial sesamoid bone. The main branch of the first plantar metatarsal artery continued its course distally along the lateral side of the lateral sesamoid and supplied it. The supplying arteries penetrated the sesamoid bones on the proximal, plantar, and distal sides. The analysis and cataloging of the microvascular anatomy of the sesamoids revealed the first plantar metatarsal artery as the main arterial source to the medial and lateral sesamoid bones. In addition, the first plantar metatarsal artery ran along the lateral plantar side of the lateral sesamoid bone, suggesting that this artery is at increased risk during soft-tissue procedures such as hallux valgus surgery.
Rath
Bjoern
B
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Regensburg, Bad Abbach, Germany. Bjoern.Rath@klinik.uni-regensburg.de
Notermans
Hans-Peter
HP
Frank
Daniel
D
Walpert
Juergen
J
Deschner
James
J
Luering
Christian M
CM
Koeck
Franz X
FX
Koebke
Juergen
J
D000368:Aged; D001158:Arteries / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D002102:Cadaver; D004853:Epoxy Resins; D005260:Female; D006214:Hallux / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008768:Methylmethacrylates; D008833:Microcirculation; D008875:Middle Aged; D016613:Plastic Embedding; D012716:Sesamoid Bones / Q000098:blood supply*
D004853:Epoxy Resins; D008768:Methylmethacrylates