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Collateral arterial pathways in the forearm

M Haerle1, F Tonagel, H E Schaller

  • 1Department of Hand and Plastic Surgery, Burn Center, BG Trauma Center, University of Tuebingen, 72076 Schnarrenberg 95, Germany. maxhaerle@t-online.de

Surgical and Radiologic Anatomy : SRA
|November 15, 2003
PubMed

Insights

Forearm artery occlusion can be compensated by collateral circulation through the anterior interosseous artery and palmar carpal arch. Preserving these forearm vessels is crucial during radial artery surgery.

Area of Science:

  • Anatomy
  • Vascular Surgery
  • Radiology

Background:

  • The radial artery is a critical vessel in the forearm, supplying blood to the hand.
  • Understanding collateral circulation pathways is essential for surgical interventions involving the radial artery.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the collateral circulation pathways of the forearm and palmar carpal arch.
  • To evaluate the significance of the anterior interosseous artery in cases of radial artery occlusion.

Main Methods:

  • Dissection of 41 fresh cadaver upper limbs.
  • Injection of colored latex solutions to visualize vascular structures.
  • Analysis of the palmar carpal arch and forearm vessels, including the anterior interosseous artery.

Main Results:

  • Complete occlusion of the radial artery was observed in one specimen.
  • Significant collateralization was noted through the anterior interosseous artery, its palmar branch, and the radial part of the palmar carpal arch.
  • Enlarged diameters of these collateral vessels suggest a functional adaptation to altered blood flow.

Conclusions:

  • The anterior interosseous artery provides a potential collateral pathway for forearm and hand perfusion.
  • Preserving the communication between the anterior interosseous and radial arteries via the palmar carpal arch is advisable during radial artery surgery.
  • These findings have implications for surgical planning and management of radial artery pathologies.

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