[Arterial vascularization of the semilunar bone]

The gross examination of 41 dried lunates and the dissection of 50 minimum injected forearms allowed the author to give a general statement of the blood supply of the lunate. On the volar aspect of the hand, 2 or 3 vessels coming from the ramus carpeus volaris and/or the radial artery run downward and penetrate the bone through a big foramen and several smaller around. On the dorsal aspect, 2 or 3 minute branches arise from the dorsal carpal arch and penetrate the triangular posterior surface of the lunate beneath the carpal joint; more infrequently 2 twigs may be traced along both scaphoid-lunate and triquetrumlunate joints. The interosseous artery sends some conspicuous branches to the posterior margin of the radius and the dorsum of the lunate. The volar group appeared to be the most important contributor to the blood supply and the big volar foramen should be named "hilus" of the lunate. It must be emphasized that the nutrient vessels enter the foramen above the upper margin of the transverse carpal ligament; so, no crowding in the carpal tunnel can be liable for "avascular necrosis" of the lunate.