Quick Facts
Origin: Deep palmar arch.
Course: Distally and unites with common palmar digital arteries.
Branches: No named branches.
Supplied Structures: Palmar aspect of the metacarpals.
Related parts of the anatomy
Origin
The three palmar metacarpal arteries arise from the deep palmar arch.
Course
The palmar metacarpal arteries course distally along the palmar aspect of the metacarpals and anastomose with the common digital arteries from the superficial palmar arch at the distal end of their relative metacarpal bones. In 60% of individuals, the palmar metacarpal arteries do not anastomose with the common or proper digital arteries (i.e., the supply to the palmar aspect of the digits is primarily from the superficial palmar arch) (Tubbs, Shoja and Loukas, 2016).
Branches
There are no named branches.
Supplied Structures
The palmar metacarpal arteries supply the medial four metacarpals.
References
Tubbs, R. S., Shoja, M. M. and Loukas, M. (2016) Bergman's Comprehensive Encyclopedia of Human Anatomic Variation. Wiley.
Learn more about this topic from other Elsevier products
Artery
When the artery is occluded blood is forced through the collateral vessels, drastically increasing fluid shear stress and triggering an inflammatory response which drives vessel remodeling.
