Anatomical Study of the Fingertip Artery in Tamai Zone I: Clinical Significance in Fingertip Replantation

Background There are a few previous studies of the vascular anatomy of the fingertips. The aim of this study was to evaluate this anatomy and the distribution of fingertip arteries. Patients and Methods A total of 31 cadaveric hands were used for evaluation of the vascular pattern of the fingertips on X-ray images obtained using a radiopaque material. We analyze the anatomy of the fingertip arteries, and classified it into three types in Tamai zone I. If only one dominant artery branched off from the distal transverse palmar arch, it was classified as type I. If the fingertip had branches of two dominant arteries, it was classified as type II, and if the fingertip had branches of three or more dominant arteries, it was classified as type III. Results The incidence of type I was 27%, that of type II was 28%, and the incidence of type III was 45%, the latter being the most frequent. In addition, we analyzed the pattern in each finger. The frequency of type III decreased from the index finger to the little finger, and the frequencies of types I and II increased from the index finger to the little finger. Conclusion Type III was the most common type in fingers, and its frequency decreased from the index finger to the little finger.