Hand, Anterior View

Description

Palmar anatomy of an adult male hand is presented from the anterior aspect, with the distal radius and ulna framing the proximal carpus and the metacarpus extending distally into the digits. The carpal bones form two arcs beneath the flexor retinaculum, with the scaphoid and trapezium lying more radial, and the pisiform and hamate positioned ulnarly, creating the contour of the thenar and hypothenar regions. Long flexor tendons course from the wrist into the palm toward the phalanges, while the median nerve enters centrally through the carpal tunnel and the ulnar nerve passes more medially at Guyon’s canal before branching into the digital nerves. Superficial and deep palmar arterial arches sit anterior to the interossei and metacarpals, sending common and proper palmar digital vessels toward each finger. This anterior dissection-style view matters because the palmar wrist is where confined spaces and rigid boundaries turn small volume changes into symptoms. Median nerve compression beneath the transverse carpal ligament produces the classic distribution of carpal tunnel syndrome, while ulnar neuropathy at the pisohamate region can spare the dorsal ulnar cutaneous branch yet weaken intrinsic hand function. Tendon course and sheath relationships also guide surgical planning for trigger finger release and repair after flexor tendon laceration. Small structures, big consequences. Use this plate for teaching carpal and metacarpal topology in gross anatomy, explaining palmar neurovascular bundles in hand surgery modules, or illustrating clinical texts on carpal tunnel release, ulnar tunnel (Guyon) decompression, and palmar laceration management. It also fits radiology and cross-sectional correlation when paired with axial MRI or ultrasound of the carpal tunnel and palmar arches. Anatomical accuracy verified by SciePro's Medical Advisory Board.