Persistent Median Artery: Case Report and Review of the Literature

Abstract

A persistent median artery may supply the hand in radial or ulnar artery injuries, or it may be used as a graft artery elsewhere in the body. It may compress the median nerve and cause symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome as well. We encountered a persistent median artery in the right upper extremity of a 55-year-old male cadaver during routine dissection. The enlarged persistent median artery ran distally and passed under flexor retinaculum, gave branches to metacarpal bones along with the branches of the median nerve. It showed no anastomosis with the superficial palmar arch. Although it is a common variation, it should be taken into account as it may cause carpal tunnel syndrome and it may be a useful route of blood supply to the hand in radial or ulnar artery injuries.