Do we have a Dorsal Venous Arch on the Dorsum of the Hand?

Aim:

The dorsal venous arch is a well-known used anatomical term, however, looking over many anatomical texts it gives that there is no complete consensus on the naming of the dorsal veins on hand as an arch or a network of veins. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to revisit the superficial veins on the dorsum of the hand to identify the dorsal venous arch of the hand. The presence of a dorsal venous arch on the dorsum of the hand has been a subject of debate among anatomists and clinicians. The aim of the present study is to investigate the existence and anatomical characteristics of a dorsal venous arch in the hand. The study will involve a comprehensive review of existing literature, anatomical dissections, and imaging techniques to examine the venous network on the dorsum of the hand. The primary objective is to determine whether a consistent and well-defined dorsal venous arch can be identified. In addition, the present study aims to explore potential variations in the anatomy of the dorsal venous arch, including its location, and connections to other venous structures. The findings from this research will contribute to a better understanding of hand anatomy, potentially aiding in clinical procedures such as venous access, reconstructive surgeries, and micro vascular procedures.

Materials and Methods:

Using the infrared vein illuminator, 804 hands of students and staff members of the Hashemite University in Jordan were initially examined. Only 540 hands were included in the final analysis. The possible horizontal connections between the superficial veins of the dorsum of the hand were described as anatomical patterns.

Results:

Four different patterns were recognized; 75% of the studied veins were not connected at all, 12% showed a connection between only two veins, and 12% of the hands showed no specified pattern. A connection between all superficial veins of the dorsum of the hand and the digital veins of the thumb and little finger was found in a negligible percentage of < 1%.

Conclusion:

Different anatomical patterns were given away in this study indicating that there is an interruption in the formation of a venous arch on the dorsum of the hand in the majority of the population’s hands tested in this study. In conclusion, this study has revealed that there is a lack of a consistent and well-formed dorsal venous arch on the dorsum of the hand in the majority of individuals tested. The findings indicate that there are various anatomical patterns and interruptions in the formation of this venous arch. These results highlight the variability and complexity of hand anatomy, suggesting that clinicians should be aware of these variations when performing procedures such as venous access or reconstructive surgeries. Further research is needed to better understand the underlying factors contributing to these anatomical differences and their potential implications for clinical practice.