Dorsal carpal branch of ulnar artery

At a glance

English

Dorsal carpal branch of ulnar artery

Latin (TA2)

Ramus carpeus dorsalis arteriae ulnaris

System

Artery

Region

Upper limb

Side

Paired, left and right

About the dorsal carpal branch of ulnar artery

In the lower forearm the ulnar artery runs down on the front of flexor digitorum profundus, under cover of flexor carpi ulnaris, with the ulnar nerve on its medial side. Just above the pisiform bone, before the artery crosses into the hand superficial to the flexor retinaculum, it gives off its dorsal carpal branch.

The branch turns backwards around the ulnar side of the wrist, passing deep to the tendon of flexor carpi ulnaris. It then runs laterally across the back of the carpus, under the extensor tendons, and joins the dorsal carpal anastomosis, which it builds together with the dorsal carpal branch of the radial artery and the terminal parts of the interosseous arteries.

Along its way it supplies the bones and ligaments on the medial side of the wrist and the overlying soft tissue. It often gives a slender branch that runs along the back of the fifth metacarpal to the medial side of the little finger, supplementing the dorsal digital supply there.

The branch is small, but it has a place in hand surgery. A fasciocutaneous flap from the ulnar side of the distal forearm, used to cover defects on the hand and wrist, is based on it. It also lies close to the dorsal branch of the ulnar nerve, which crosses the same region to supply the skin on the back of the medial hand.

Course and supply

Arises from

The ulnar artery, just proximal to the pisiform bone.

Ends in

Winds deep to flexor carpi ulnaris to the back of the wrist and ends in the dorsal carpal anastomosis.

Supplies

Supplies the medial side and back of the carpus and contributes to the dorsal carpal network.