Anatomical Study of the Fingertip Artery in Tamai Zone I: Clinical Significance in Fingertip Replantation.
BackgroundThere are a few previous studies of the vascular anatomy of the fingertips. The aim of this study was to evaluate this anatomy and the distribution of fingertip arteries.Patients and MethodsA total of 31 cadaveric hands were used for evaluation of the vascular pattern of the fingertips on X-ray images obtained using a radiopaque material. We analyze the anatomy of the fingertip arteries, and classified it into three types in Tamai zone I. If only one dominant artery branched off from the distal transverse palmar arch, it was classified as type I. If the fingertip had branches of two dominant arteries, it was classified as type II, and if the fingertip had branches of three or more dominant arteries, it was classified as type III.ResultsThe incidence of type I was 27%, that of type II was 28%, and the incidence of type III was 45%, the latter being the most frequent. In addition, we analyzed the pattern in each finger. The frequency of type III decreased from the index finger to the little finger, and the frequencies of types I and II increased from the index finger to the little finger.ConclusionType III was the most common type in fingers, and its frequency decreased from the index finger to the little finger.
Department of Anatomy, Catholic Institute for Applied Anatomy, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea.
Yong Seok
YS
Nam
Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea.
Young Joon
YJ
Jun
Department of Anatomy, Catholic Institute for Applied Anatomy, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea.
In-Beom
IB
Kim
Department of Anatomy, Catholic Institute for Applied Anatomy, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea.
Sung Hun
SH
Cho
Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea.
Hyun Ho
HH
Han
D000673:Amputation, Traumatic / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D001158:Arteries / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000601:surgery; D002102:Cadaver; D005260:Female; D005383:Finger Injuries / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D005385:Fingers / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000098:blood supply; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012092:Replantation / Q000379:methods*; D014656:Vascular Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods