The nomenclature of arteries supplying the thumb and its sources arteries differs between the studies. This makes difficulty in understanding the irrigation pattern to the thumb. The main purpose of this study was to identify the proper digital arteries supplying the thumb on its radial and ulnar side from both the palmar and dorsal aspect. Also this study aimed to trace its source and classify with proper definition with the review of blood supply to thumb. Dissection was carried out in 55 hands form 28 freshly embalmed adult human cadavers of both genders. The proper digital arteries to the thumb and its source arteries were carefully traced and defined. Thumb receives its dominant blood supply mostly from its palmar side. The ulnar palmar digital artery was seen in all the dissected hand (100.0%) whereas; the radial palmar digital artery was present in 53 hands (96.4%). The radial dorsal digital artery and ulnar dorsal digital artery were observed in only 10.0% and 7.3%. The most common source of both the palmar digital arteries to thumb was from first palmar metacarpal artery (FPMA). In majority of the hands, in addition to the radial or ulnar palmar digital arteries from the FPMA, there were also additional palmar digital arteries arising from the superficial palmar arterial system. The universal naming of the proper digital arteries to the thumb as well as its source arteries is mandatory for the proper understanding of normal as well as variant arterial anatomy of thumb.

Pulleys are thickened regions in flexor tendons sheaths of the digits. They are essential and act as fulcrum for the flexion and extension of the digits. The arrangement and number of pulley system differs greatly between the thumb and other digits. There is paucity of literature regarding the pulley system of thumb. We aimed to study the morphometry of the pulley system of the thumb in Indian cadavers. Dissection was carried out in 55 adult human cadaveric thumbs. The most common morphologic pattern of pulley observed in the thumb is type III (30 thumbs). The least observed is type I (4 thumbs). The mean width and standard deviation of A1, Av, oblique, and A2 pulleys are 5.06±0.87, 5.38±1.22, 4.68±1.13, and 6.04±1.41 mm, respectively. The gap distances between the pulleys were also measured. The results obtained from the present study may be helpful in surgical treatment of trigger thumb with less complication and also in reconstruction of the closed rupture of the pulley of the thumb.
Adult ; Cadaver ; Humans ; Rupture ; Tendons ; Thumb* ; Trigger Finger Disorder

Tensor of vastus intermedius is a newly discovered muscle located between vastus lateralis and vastus intermedius. The purpose of this study was to investigate the detailed morphology of tensor of vastus intermedius, specifically to provide data pertaining to the attachments, innervations, variation in the types and its morphometry in South Indian population. The tensor of vastus intermedius was studied in thirty six cadaveric lower limbs using macrodissection techniques. The origin of the muscle was from upper part of intertrochanteric line and anterior part of greater trochanter of femur inserted to medial aspect of upper border of patella. The muscle was classified into four types based on the origin and also the aponeurosis course with independent type (type 1) being common. The mean and standard deviation of the length of tensor of vastus intermedius and aponeurosis were 145.40±37.55 mm and 193.55±42.32 mm, respectively. The results of the study suggest that tensor of vastus intermedius is variable and the information provided regarding the attachments, types and quantitative data will contribute to the existing knowledge of the muscle.
Cadaver ; Femur ; Lower Extremity ; Patella ; Quadriceps Muscle*