Upper limb
Superficial palmar arch
Arcus palmaris superficialis
- Origin
- Formed predominantly by the ulnar artery, completed laterally by the superficial palmar branch of the radial artery
- Insertion
- Located immediately deep to the palmar aponeurosis; gives off common palmar digital arteries to digits II–V
- Function
- Primary source of oxygenated blood to the palmar aspects of digits II through V
- Innervation
- Sympathetic vasomotor fibers
- Movement & chain
- Protected beneath the thick central palmar aponeurosis during gripping tasks
- Palpation
- Not easily palpable; projects anatomically along Kaplan's cardinal line in the midpalm
- Clinical
- Vulnerable in deep penetrating palmar lacerations and during surgical fasciectomy for Dupuytren contracture
- Segmental innervation
- C7–T1 roots
- In clinical practice
- Critical landmark in hand surgery; palmar compression and tourniquet control are required for traumatic bleeding
- Region in the model
- Upper limb