[The deep arterial system of the wrist]

The deep arterial system of the wrist area is formed by a palmar and dorsal anastomotic network. It arises from the radial, ulnar and interosseus arteries and follows the longitudinal axes: lateral, medial and median. At the level of the radial and ulnar epiphyses the system is essentially periosteal. At the carpal level, the arteries are intra-ligamentous and intra-capsular. The four pedicles of the median axis join the deep palmar arch. All the elements of this system are interconnected. The deep arterial system of the wrist area is separated from the superficial system by a facial layer at the level of the radial and ulnar epiphysis and by the thickness of the capsule and its ligaments at the carpal level. Rheumatoid arthritis invades the wrist following the pattern of the arteries of the deep systems.