Cadaveric Study of Superficial Palmar Arch Variations in Northern Thai Population by Using Epoxy Resin Injection Technique
Atittaya Tasom MSc*, Apichat Sinthubua MSc*, Kanit Sananpanich MD**, Pasuk Mahakkanukrauh MD*
Affiliation : * Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand ** Department of Orthopaedics, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand
Background : Superficial palmer arch (SPA) is the main source of arterial supply to the palm while princeps pollicis artery
is the main source of arterial supply to the thumb. The details about their possible variations are important for the
reconstructive hand surgeons.
Objective : To find out the SPA patterns and arterial supply of thumb variations in Thai population by using epoxy resin
injection technique.
Material and Method: The methods used were vascular injection by epoxy resin with blue resin color to brachial artery
before dissection of 100 fresh cadaveric hands to find out the SPA pattern and the anatomical variation of the princeps
pollicis artery.
Results : It was found that the SPA patterns of 100 cadaveric hands were composed of 13 patterns, which could be classified
into two main types: arch type and non-arch type. Arch type was found in 67 hands (67%) and non-arch type 33 hands
(33%). From 13 patterns, the most common was the ulnar + 1st dorsal interosseous pattern, which found in 27 hands (27%)
and the less common, in 15 hands was ulnar pattern in both arch type and non-arch type. The princeps pollicis artery was
present in all of the arch-type hands (67 hands) with its origin from the radial artery. It emerged deep in the 1st dorsal
interosseous muscle in 66 hands (98.5%) and dorsally to this muscle in 1 hand (1.5%). Using epoxy resin injection before
dissection was a good technique with less confusion for arteries and other tissues.
Conclusion : The authors found 13 superficial palmar arch patterns, 67 percent is arch type. The princeps pollicis artery
always lies deep in the first dorsal interosseous muscle. This is essential knowledge for the hand surgeon to repair or
reconstruct the injured limb.
Keywords : Superficial palmar arch (SPA), Variation, Princeps pollicis artery
