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Dorsal digital arteries (hand)

The dorsal digital arteries are small arterial branches that supply the dorsal aspect of the fingers. They arise from the dorsal metacarpal arteries on the dorsum of the hand and travel along the dorsal surfaces of the proximal and middle phalanges. Toward the distal phalanx, they diminish in size as the palmar digital arteries take over most of the pulp and distal phalanx supply.

These arteries course along each side of the dorsal finger surface near the extensor tendon, providing blood flow to the dorsal skin, periosteum, nail fold, and dorsal capsule of the interphalangeal joints. They form an important component of the collateral arterial network of the digits.

Synonyms

  • Dorsal digital branches

  • Dorsal proper digital arteries

  • Dorsal phalangeal arteries

Origin, Course, and Distribution

Origin:

  • Arise from the dorsal metacarpal arteries, which originate from the dorsal carpal arch (radial artery dominant).

Course:

  • Travel distally along the dorsal aspects of the proximal and middle phalanges

  • Run adjacent to the extensor tendons

  • Form small anastomoses with palmar digital arteries near the distal phalanx

Distribution:

  • Supply dorsal skin over the proximal and middle phalanges

  • Contribute to blood supply of the dorsal nail fold and periungual region

  • Offer minor vascular input to dorsal joint capsules

Relations

  • Dorsally: Skin of the dorsal finger and extensor expansions

  • Palmarly: Phalanges and palmar digital arteries

  • Laterally: Digital nerves and digital fibrous sheaths (more palmar than dorsal)

  • Proximally: Dorsal metacarpal arteries

  • Distally: Nail matrix and dorsal pulp transition zones

Function

  • Provide cutaneous perfusion to dorsal finger skin

  • Supply periosteum and dorsal ligamentous structures

  • Support vascular redundancy with palmar digital arteries

  • Contribute to healing capacity in dorsal finger injuries

Clinical Significance

  • Vulnerable to lacerations and dorsal hand trauma, given their superficial position

  • Important in reconstructive flap planning (e.g., dorsal metacarpal artery flaps)

  • May be seen displaced or compressed by fractures of the phalanges

  • Useful landmarks during nail bed repair and dorsal finger surgeries

MRI Appearance

T1-weighted images:

  • Arteries appear as low-signal (dark) tubular structures due to flowing blood

  • Surrounded by bright subcutaneous fat on the dorsal finger

  • Vessel walls are very thin and may appear as faint low-signal lines

  • Extensor tendons show low signal, helping differentiate vessel lumen

T2-weighted images:

  • Flowing blood remains a dark flow void

  • Surrounding soft tissues show intermediate-to-high signal

  • Vessel walls may appear slightly brighter but still low signal compared to fluid

  • Extensor tendon and phalangeal cortex provide distinct anatomic landmarks

STIR:

  • Normal dorsal digital arteries show dark signal (flow void)

  • Surrounding fat is suppressed, creating strong contrast with low-signal vessels

  • Skin and subcutaneous tissues show intermediate-to-bright signal

  • Highlights anatomical course adjacent to the extensor tendon

T1 Post-Contrast Fat-Saturated:

  • Lumen of the artery enhances brightly and uniformly

  • Vessel walls remain thin and low signal

  • Provides the clearest depiction of dorsal digital arterial branches

  • Enhancing dorsal soft tissues outline the vessel course accurately

CT Appearance

Non-Contrast CT:

  • Arteries are not directly visualized unless contrast from adjacent tissues or calcification is present

Post-Contrast CT:

  • Dorsal digital arteries appear as small, enhancing tubular structures on the dorsal aspect of the proximal and middle phalanges

MRI images

Dorsal digital arteries MRI axial image-img-00000-00000