Neurovascular supply of the dorsal skin of the proximal and middle phalanges of the middle finger

ABSTRACT

The skin on the back of the proximal phalanx of the middle finger had dual cutaneous nerve supply from both the median and radial nerves, 3 small arterioles from the palmar digital artery and 3 longitudinal veins draining into a dorsal venous arch which in turn drained into 2 veins, one on each side of the digit. The skin of the middle phalanx was only supplied by the dorsal sensory branch of the median nerve, a very minute arterial network and 3 longitudinal veins. The present work recommends extension of the dorsal middle phalangeal finger flap of the middle finger to include part of the skin of the proximal phalanx in the form of 3 x 5 cm2 flap in the extended digit to benefit from its nervous and arterial supply and its venous drainage