Superficial Venous Palmar Arch (Right)
Arcus venosus palmaris superficialis
Read moreQuick Facts
Origin: Common palmar veins.
Course: Palmar aspect of the metacarpals.
Tributaries: Common palmar digital and intercapitular veins.
Drainage: Palmar aspect of the hand.
Origin
The superficial palmar arch is formed by a venous network of palmar veins including the common palmar digital veins.
Course
The superficial and deep palmar venous arches accompany the arterial palmar arches. The common palmar digital veins join the superficial veins, while the palmar metacarpal veins join the deep venous palmar arch (Standring, 2016).
Tributaries
The superficial palmar arch receives the common palmar digital veins via a network of superficial palmar vessels. It shunts blood to the dorsal aspect of the hand via the intercapitular veins (Doyle and Botte, 2003).
Structures Drained
The superficial venous system is the primary drainage of the hand. The palmar venous drainage is insufficient and blood of the palm of the hand is drained primarily by the dorsal venous network via the intercapitular veins (Doyle and Botte, 2003, Tubbs et al., 2016).
References
Doyle, J. R. and Botte, M. J. (2003) Surgical Anatomy of the Hand and Upper Extremity. LWW medical book collection: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
Standring, S. (2016) Gray's Anatomy: The Anatomical Basis of Clinical Practice. Gray's Anatomy Series 41 edn.: Elsevier Limited.
Tubbs, R. S., Shoja, M. M. and Loukas, M. (2016) Bergman's Comprehensive Encyclopedia of Human Anatomic Variation. Wiley.
