A hand surgeon explores a laceration on the volar wrist and identifies the principal arterial contributor to the deep palmar arch. Which vessel forms the majority of this arch?

• A Radial artery ✓
• B Ulnar artery
• C Anterior interosseous artery
• D Princeps pollicis artery

Explanation

The deep palmar arch lies at the level of the metacarpal bases and is completed mainly by the radial artery, which enters the palm passing between the two heads of the first dorsal interosseous and then through the adductor pollicis. The ulnar artery is the chief contributor to the superficial palmar arch instead. The princeps pollicis arises from the radial artery after it completes the deep arch and is not itself an arch contributor.

Reference: Gray's Anatomy for Students, 4th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.