Hand & Blood supply to the upper limb

Question 1

What are the three parts of the hand?

Answer 1

1. Carpus
2. Metacarpus
3. Digits

Question 2

What is the palmar aponeurosis?

Answer 2

A triangular condensation of deep fascia consisting of longitudinal and transverse fibres

Question 3

What is the Flexor Retinaculum?

Answer 3

A thick connective tissue ligament/band that bridges the space between the medial and lateral sides of the carpal arch. (AKA Transverse Carpal Ligament)

Question 4

What forms the carpal tunnel?

Answer 4

The carpal arch formed by carpal bones and the flexor retinaculum

Question 5

What structures are contained within the carpal tunnel?

Answer 5

• Long flexor tendons of the digits (9)
• FDS (4 tendons)
• FDP (4 tendons)
• FPL (1 tendon)
• Median nerve

Question 6

What is the role of the deep transverse metacarpal ligaments?

Answer 6

They connect the palmar ligaments of the MCP joints to each other and help form a unified skeletal framework for the palm

Question 7

What are the intrinsic muscles of the hand?

Answer 7

• Thenar muscles
• Hypothenar muscles
• Other muscles (Lumbricals, Interossei)

Question 8

What are the thenar muscles?

Answer 8

Flexor pollicis brevis
Abductor pollicis brevis
Opponens brevis

Question 9

What are the “other” muscles in the hand?

Answer 9

Adductor pollicis
Lumbricals
Interossei (dorsal and palmar)

Question 10

What are the hypothenar muscles?

Answer 10

Flexor digiti minimi

Abductor digiti minimi

Opponens digiti minimi

Question 11

What is the function of the dorsal interossei muscles?

Answer 11

Abduct the fingers (DAB)

Question 12

What is the function of the palmar interossei muscles?

Answer 12

Adduct the fingers (PAD)

Question 13

Which artery is the major blood vessel supplying the upper limb?

Answer 13

Subclavian artery

Question 14

What does the subclavian artery become as it crosses the lateral margin of rib I?

Answer 14

Axillary artery

Question 15

What are the three parts of the axillary artery?

Answer 15

• 1st part: Superior thoracic artery
• 2nd part: Thoraco-acromial artery, Lateral thoracic artery
• 3rd part: Subscapular artery, Anterior circumflex humeral artery, Posterior circumflex humeral artery

Question 16

What is the major artery of the arm?

Answer 16

Brachial artery

Question 17

What are the four major arteries in the forearm?

Answer 17

• Radial artery
• Ulnar artery
• Anterior interosseous artery
• Posterior interosseous artery

Question 18

What forms the deep palmer arch?

Answer 18

Radial Artery

Question 19

What forms the superficial palmar arch?

Answer 19

The ulnar artery

Question 20

What branches does the radial artery give rise to in the hand?

Answer 20

• Radialis indicis artery
• Princeps pollicis artery

Question 21

What is the function of the venous drainage system in the upper limb?

Answer 21

To drain into a dorsal venous network on the back of the hand

Question 22

Where does the basilic vein originate?

Answer 22

From the medial side of the dorsal venous network of the hand

Question 23

What is the anatomical significance of the cephalic vein?

Answer 23

It originates over the anatomical snuffbox at the base of the thumb

Question 24

What is the function of the flexor tendon sheaths?

Answer 24

They hold the tendons to the bony plane and prevent the tendons from bowing when the digits are flexed

Question 25

Fill in the blank: The _______ connects the palmar ligaments of the MCP joints to each other.

Answer 25

Deep Transverse Metacarpal Ligaments

Question 26

True or False: The intrinsic muscles of the hand originate outside the hand.

Answer 26

False

Question 27

What are the major blood supplies to the hand?

Answer 27

* Radial artery * Ulnar artery

Question 28

What is the action of the lumbricals?

Answer 28

Flexion at the MCP joint and extension at the IP joint

Question 29

What is the relationship between the deep and superficial palmar arches?

Answer 29

The deep palmar arch is deep to the long flexors of the fingers, while the superficial palmar arch is superficial to them

Question 30

What structure continues proximally to penetrate deep fascia about midway up the arm?

Answer 30

The elbow ## Footnote This indicates the anatomical relationship of the elbow to surrounding structures.

Question 31

Which artery does the structure medial to the brachial artery assume a position near?

Answer 31

Brachial artery ## Footnote This positioning is crucial for understanding vascular relationships in the arm.

Question 32

What veins join the basilic vein?

Answer 32

Brachial veins ## Footnote This connection is important for venous drainage in the upper limb.

Question 33

At what anatomical landmark does the brachial vein become the axillary vein?

Answer 33

Lower border of the teres major ## Footnote This transition marks a key point in venous drainage.

Question 34

Where does the cephalic vein originate?

Answer 34

Over the anatomical snuffbox at the base of the thumb ## Footnote This is the starting point for the cephalic vein, important in venous anatomy.

Question 35

What is the path of the cephalic vein as it travels up the arm?

Answer 35

Passes laterally around the distal forearm and continues proximally ## Footnote Understanding this path is important for clinical procedures.

Question 36

What triangular depression does the cephalic vein enter as it ascends the arm?

Answer 36

Clavipectoral triangle (deltopectoral triangle) ## Footnote This area is significant for the anatomy of the upper limb.

Question 37

How does the cephalic vein reach the axillary vein?

Answer 37

By penetrating deep fascia ## Footnote This penetration is a critical anatomical detail.

Question 38

What vein connects the cephalic and basilic veins at the elbow?

Answer 38

Median cubital vein ## Footnote This vein is commonly used for venipuncture.

Question 39

What type of veins accompany the arteries in the forearm and arm?

Answer 39

Deep veins ## Footnote These veins are crucial for the venous return from the limbs.

Question 40

Where do the deep veins of the forearm drain into?

Answer 40

Brachial veins associated with the brachial artery in the cubital fossa ## Footnote This drainage is essential for understanding upper limb circulation.

Question 41

How are the paired brachial veins positioned relative to the brachial artery?

Answer 41

Pass along the medial and lateral sides ## Footnote This positioning is vital for understanding vascular anatomy.

Question 42

What do the brachial veins receive as they accompany the brachial artery?

Answer 42

Tributaries that accompany branches of the arteries of the arm ## Footnote This relationship is important for the vascular network.

Question 43

What is the summary of veins in the arm (brachium)?

Answer 43

Includes the cephalic, basilic, and median cubital veins, as well as paired brachial veins ## Footnote This summary encapsulates the major venous structures in the arm.

Question 44

What is the significance of understanding blood supply to the upper limb?

Answer 44

Essential for clinical practice and anatomy education ## Footnote This knowledge is crucial for medical professionals.