The dorsal carpal arch (dorsal carpal network, posterior carpal arch) is an anatomical term for the combination (
anastomosis
An anastomosis (, : anastomoses) is a connection or opening between two things (especially cavities or passages) that are normally diverging or branching, such as between blood vessels, leaf veins, or streams. Such a connection may be normal (su ...
) of
dorsal carpal branch of the radial artery
The dorsal carpal branch of the radial artery (posterior radial carpal artery) is a small vessel which arises beneath the extensor tendons of the thumb; crossing the Carpal bones, carpus transversely toward the medial border of the hand, it anastom ...
and the
dorsal carpal branch of the ulnar artery near the back of the
wrist
In human anatomy, the wrist is variously defined as (1) the carpus or carpal bones, the complex of eight bones forming the proximal skeletal segment of the hand; "The wrist contains eight bones, roughly aligned in two rows, known as the carpal ...
.
It is made up of the dorsal carpal branches of both the ulnar and radial arteries. It also anastomoses with the
anterior interosseous artery
The anterior interosseous artery (volar interosseous artery) is an artery in the forearm. It is a branch of the common interosseous artery.
Course
It passes down the forearm on the palmar surface of the interosseous membrane.
It is accompanied ...
and the
posterior interosseous artery
The posterior interosseous artery (dorsal interosseous artery) is an artery of the forearm. It is a branch of the common interosseous artery, which is a branch of the ulnar artery.
Structure
The posterior interosseous artery passes backward bet ...
. The arch gives off three
dorsal metacarpal arteries.
It serves as a source of blood supply to the radiocarpal joint alongside the palmar carpal arch.
See also
*
Palmar carpal arch
The palmar carpal arch is a joining of an artery to an artery, a circulatory anastomosis, known as an arterio-arterial anastomosis. The two connected arteries are the palmar carpal branch of the radial artery and the palmar carpal branch of the u ...
*
Deep palmar arch
The deep palmar arch (deep volar arch) is an arterial network found in the palm. It is usually primarily formed from the terminal part of the radial artery. The ulnar artery also contributes through an anastomosis. This is in contrast to the super ...
*
Superficial palmar arch
The superficial palmar arch is formed predominantly by the ulnar artery, with a contribution from the superficial palmar branch of the radial artery. However, in some individuals the contribution from the radial artery might be absent, and instea ...
References
External links
Arteries of the upper limb
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