title: Arterial anatomy of the hallucal sesamoids.
abstract: 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.
authors: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Regensburg, Bad Abbach, Germany. Bjoern.Rath@klinik.uni-regensburg.de
authors: Bjoern
authors: B
authors: Rath
authors: Hans-Peter
authors: HP
authors: Notermans
authors: Daniel
authors: D
authors: Frank
authors: Juergen
authors: J
authors: Walpert
authors: James
authors: J
authors: Deschner
authors: Christian M
authors: CM
authors: Luering
authors: Franz X
authors: FX
authors: Koeck
authors: Juergen
authors: J
authors: Koebke
mesh_terms: 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*
chemical_list: D004853:Epoxy Resins; D008768:Methylmethacrylates