THE ARTERIAL SUPPLY OF THE SCAPHOID BONE AND ITS CLINICAL IMPORTANCE / 解剖学报

ABSTRACT

The arterial supply of the human scaphoid was studied in 166 specimens ofhands from fresh cadavers of different ages ranging from 6(1/2)months of gestationto 89 years old by injection and clearing techniques.The scaphoid receives its bloodsupply mainly from the radial artery and its superficial palmar branch.There aretwo groups of nutrient arteries,the dorsal and the volar nutrient arteries,enteringthe scaphoid.The dorsal group of arteries which supplies the proximal 70% to 80%of the scaphoid is the main contributor to the intraosseous blood supply.The volargroup of arteries only supplies the distal 20% to 30% of the bone.An explanationfor the cause of scaphoid necrosis following fracture on the basis of the vascularitywas proposed.