Upper limb
Dorsal carpal network and arch
Rete carpale dorsale et arcus carpalis dorsalis
- Origin
- Formed by anastomoses of the dorsal carpal branches of the radial and ulnar arteries with the interosseous arteries
- Insertion
- Lies on the dorsal capsule of the carpus and gives rise to dorsal metacarpal arteries II–IV
- Function
- Supplies the carpal bones, dorsal radiocarpal ligaments, and dorsal metacarpal spaces
- Innervation
- Sympathetic vasomotor fibers
- Movement & chain
- Conforms to the dorsal convexity of the wrist during flexion and extension
- Palpation
- Not palpable beneath the extensor retinaculum and extensor tendons
- Clinical
- Crucial for vascularity of the carpal bones; implicated in avascular necrosis of lunate (Kienböck disease) and scaphoid fractures
- Segmental innervation
- C6–C8 roots
- In clinical practice
- Protected during dorsal wrist capsulotomy, scaphoid fixation, and dorsal ganglion excision
- Region in the model
- Upper limb