Dorsal carpal anastomosis

At a glance

English

Dorsal carpal anastomosis

Latin (TA2)

Rete dorsale carpi

System

Artery

Region

Upper limb

Side

Paired, left and right

About the dorsal carpal anastomosis

The dorsal carpal anastomosis, also called the dorsal carpal network or arch, is a meshwork of vessels lying on the back of the carpus and the dorsal ligaments of the wrist, deep to the extensor tendons. It is formed by the meeting of several arteries that approach the wrist from different sides.

Its main contributors are the dorsal carpal branches of the radial and ulnar arteries, which wind round the sides of the wrist to reach its back. From above it receives the terminal branches of the anterior interosseous artery, which pierce the interosseous membrane low in the forearm, and of the posterior interosseous artery. The network also communicates with the palmar carpal vessels and, through perforating branches, with the deep palmar arch.

From the network arise the second, third and fourth dorsal metacarpal arteries, which run down on the dorsal interosseous muscles and divide into dorsal digital arteries for the adjacent sides of the fingers. The first dorsal metacarpal artery usually comes straight from the radial artery as it enters the first web space. Small branches from the network also pass into the carpal bones and the radiocarpal and intercarpal joints.

Because it gathers blood from the radial, ulnar and both interosseous arteries, the network keeps the back of the hand supplied when one of them is injured. Many of the small vessels entering the scaphoid on its dorsal ridge come from the radial artery near this network, which helps explain why fractures of the scaphoid waist can leave its proximal pole short of blood.

Course and supply

Arises from

Formed by the dorsal carpal branches of the radial and ulnar arteries and the terminal branches of the anterior and posterior interosseous arteries.

Ends in

Gives the second to fourth dorsal metacarpal arteries, which divide into dorsal digital arteries, and communicates with the deep palmar arch.

Supplies

Supplies the back of the carpus and its joints and, through the dorsal metacarpal arteries, the back of the hand and the proximal parts of the fingers.