ABSTRACT
There is an infrequent disposition of the first metacarpal artery which results in an anastomosis with the common palmar digital artery of the second space, forming an anastomotic system between the deep radial system and the superficial ulnar system. The radial system in turn, through the first dorsal interosseous artery, anastomoses with a collateral of the common palmar digital artery of the second space, ending as the ulnar palmar digital artery of the thumb and establishing a second anastomotic system. A third anastomosis is established in one case, between the common palmar digital artery of the fourth space and the fourth metacarpal artery. To this may be added the classic anastomosis between the superficial branch of the ulnar artery and the deep branch of the radial artery, i.e. the deep palmar arch.
Subject(s)
Metacarpal Bones , Thumb , Hand , Metacarpal Bones/surgery , Radial ArteryABSTRACT
We examined the status of the first metacarpal bone whose shape, fetal and post-natal development correspond to those of the thumb proximal phalanx. Galen already described this, circa 170 CE. Our radiographic data confirm that the pre-axial (radial or anterior) side of the hand matures, later than the post-axial (ulnar or posterior) side, both, pre- and post-natally. A new perspective on thumb primate and human ontogeny is discussed and comparative observations on the Evolutionary Development (EvoDevo) of the thumb and the first toe are proposed along with a nomenclature honoring Galen's original roposition.
Se analiza el estado del primer metacarpiano cuya forma y desarrollo embrionario, fetal y postnatal corresponde a los de la primera falange del pulgar. Galeno notó que éste era la primera falange del pulgar cerca de 170 DC. Esto no es un simple cambio de nomenclatura, ya que da una nueva luz a los problemas evolutivos de ontogenia (EvoDevo). Nuestros datos radiográficos confirman que el lado radial (anterior o pre-axial) de la mano madura, pre y post-natalmente, mas tardíamente que el lado cubital (posterior o post-axial). Se discuten nuevas perspectivas sobre la ontogenia y filogenia humana y de primates, y se proponen estudios comparativos del desarrollo del pulgar y del ortejo mayor.