Definition

1. Noun:
   • A branch of the radial or ulnar arteries supplying the hand: A "metacarpal artery" is any of several small arteries that branch from the radial or ulnar arteries in the forearm. These arteries run along the metacarpal bones in the hand, supplying blood to the dorsal (back) and palmar (palm) surfaces of the hand and fingers.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The surgeon carefully avoided the metacarpal artery during the procedure on the hand.
  • Damage to a metacarpal artery can lead to significant bleeding and requires immediate attention.

Advanced Usage

• Anatomical context: The term is primarily used in medical, anatomical, and surgical contexts. It is often specified further as a dorsal metacarpal artery (on the back of the hand) or a palmar metacarpal artery (in the palm).
  • The dorsal metacarpal arteries are typically branches of the radial artery.
  • The palmar metacarpal arteries anastomose (connect) with the common palmar digital arteries.

Variants and Related Words

• Metacarpal (adj): Pertaining to the metacarpus, the group of five bones in the hand between the wrist and the fingers.
  • He suffered a metacarpal fracture.
• Artery (n): A blood vessel that carries oxygenated blood away from the heart.
  • The coronary artery supplies blood to the heart muscle.

Synonyms

• Metacarpal vessel: A less common synonym emphasizing it is a blood vessel.
• Hand artery: A general, non-specific term that could refer to any artery in the hand, including the metacarpal arteries.

Related Phrases / Terms

• Vascular supply of the hand: This phrase describes the entire network of arteries and veins, of which the metacarpal arteries are a key part.
  • Understanding the vascular supply of the hand is crucial for hand surgery.
• Deep palmar arch: A major arterial structure in the palm from which the palmar metacarpal arteries often arise.
  • The deep palmar arch gives rise to several important branches, including the palmar metacarpal arteries.

Noun

1. dorsal and palmar arteries of the hand