Bilateral anatomical variations of the hand. A case report
Introduction: The anatomical complexity of the upper extremity is reflected in the vast array of structural variation and anomalies that can be observed. Variations and developmental anomalies have been reported in the vasculature, innervation, or musculoskeletal structures of the limb. While anomal...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Elsevier
2022-06-01
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| Series: | Translational Research in Anatomy |
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| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214854X22000358 |
| _version_ | 1828223888851468288 |
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| author | Joseph Brown Michael Cronin Audrey M.K. Dempsey Patricia M. Flynn André Toulouse |
| author_facet | Joseph Brown Michael Cronin Audrey M.K. Dempsey Patricia M. Flynn André Toulouse |
| author_sort | Joseph Brown |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Introduction: The anatomical complexity of the upper extremity is reflected in the vast array of structural variation and anomalies that can be observed. Variations and developmental anomalies have been reported in the vasculature, innervation, or musculoskeletal structures of the limb. While anomalies tend to involve multiple structures, variations tend to be more subtle and restricted to individual structures with limited physiological impact. Case presentation: Routine dissection of the hands of a female cadaver revealed bilateral anatomical variations. Firstly, the palmaris longus had multiple distal tendinous insertions bilaterally. Secondly, Berrettini type nervous communications were observed bilaterally between the common digital branches of the ulnar nerves and medial common digital branches of the median nerves. Finally, vascular supply for both hands displayed a number of anomalies of the radial and ulnar arteries. In the right hand, there was a small midline anastomosis between the radial and ulnar arteries while it was absent in the left hand, leading to an incomplete superficial palmar arch. Conclusion: In both hands, the location and pattern of arterial supply rendered the vessels vulnerable to injury and occlusion. Absence of collateral blood supply between the ulnar and radial arteries in the left hand, as well as the superficial location of the superficial palmar radial arteries made the hands of this individual particularly susceptible to ischemic injury. Vascular abnormalities of this nature are routinely screened for prior to procedures of the hand. Anatomical variations of the vasculature, innervation and musculature of the hand and wrist are common. This case displays a unique accumulation of such variations in both hands of a cadaveric specimen. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-12T17:14:35Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-fdcfac5adadb4ba2823205272e17ad43 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2214-854X |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-12T17:14:35Z |
| publishDate | 2022-06-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Translational Research in Anatomy |
| spelling | doaj.art-fdcfac5adadb4ba2823205272e17ad432022-12-22T03:23:42ZengElsevierTranslational Research in Anatomy2214-854X2022-06-0127100189Bilateral anatomical variations of the hand. A case reportJoseph Brown0Michael Cronin1Audrey M.K. Dempsey2Patricia M. Flynn3André Toulouse4Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, School of Medicine, University College Cork, Cork, IrelandDepartment of Anatomy and Neuroscience, School of Medicine, University College Cork, Cork, IrelandDepartment of Anatomy and Neuroscience, School of Medicine, University College Cork, Cork, IrelandDepartment of Anatomy and Neuroscience, School of Medicine, University College Cork, Cork, IrelandCorresponding author. Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, Floor 2, Western Gateway Building, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland.; Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, School of Medicine, University College Cork, Cork, IrelandIntroduction: The anatomical complexity of the upper extremity is reflected in the vast array of structural variation and anomalies that can be observed. Variations and developmental anomalies have been reported in the vasculature, innervation, or musculoskeletal structures of the limb. While anomalies tend to involve multiple structures, variations tend to be more subtle and restricted to individual structures with limited physiological impact. Case presentation: Routine dissection of the hands of a female cadaver revealed bilateral anatomical variations. Firstly, the palmaris longus had multiple distal tendinous insertions bilaterally. Secondly, Berrettini type nervous communications were observed bilaterally between the common digital branches of the ulnar nerves and medial common digital branches of the median nerves. Finally, vascular supply for both hands displayed a number of anomalies of the radial and ulnar arteries. In the right hand, there was a small midline anastomosis between the radial and ulnar arteries while it was absent in the left hand, leading to an incomplete superficial palmar arch. Conclusion: In both hands, the location and pattern of arterial supply rendered the vessels vulnerable to injury and occlusion. Absence of collateral blood supply between the ulnar and radial arteries in the left hand, as well as the superficial location of the superficial palmar radial arteries made the hands of this individual particularly susceptible to ischemic injury. Vascular abnormalities of this nature are routinely screened for prior to procedures of the hand. Anatomical variations of the vasculature, innervation and musculature of the hand and wrist are common. This case displays a unique accumulation of such variations in both hands of a cadaveric specimen.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214854X22000358Palmaris longusIncomplete superficial palmar archRadial arteryUlnar arteryBerrettini branchAnatomical variation |
| spellingShingle | Joseph Brown Michael Cronin Audrey M.K. Dempsey Patricia M. Flynn André Toulouse Bilateral anatomical variations of the hand. A case report Translational Research in Anatomy Palmaris longus Incomplete superficial palmar arch Radial artery Ulnar artery Berrettini branch Anatomical variation |
| title | Bilateral anatomical variations of the hand. A case report |
| title_full | Bilateral anatomical variations of the hand. A case report |
| title_fullStr | Bilateral anatomical variations of the hand. A case report |
| title_full_unstemmed | Bilateral anatomical variations of the hand. A case report |
| title_short | Bilateral anatomical variations of the hand. A case report |
| title_sort | bilateral anatomical variations of the hand a case report |
| topic | Palmaris longus Incomplete superficial palmar arch Radial artery Ulnar artery Berrettini branch Anatomical variation |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214854X22000358 |
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