Comprehension: Hand- Frontal and Lateral Radiographs
Study the frontal and lateral radiographs of the bones of the hand. Identify the proximal, middle, and distal phalanges and the metacarpal bones (shaft, head and base). The joints between the finger bones are described as distal (DIP) and proximal (PIP) interphalangeal joints. The finger bones articulate with the metacarpal heads at the metacarpophalangeal (MP) joints. To fully visualize conditions such as fractures or arthritic changes in the hand, both frontal and oblique radiographs are required.
Hand and Wrist Arteries
An angiogram of the hand and wrist arteries is shown. This study was done following injection of contrast material in the patient's right axillary artery. Both the deep palmar and superficial palmar arches are visible. Note that the superficial arch is not complete: this is a normal physiologic variation in the formation of the arteries. The common digital and metacarpal arteries give rise to paired branches called proper digital arteries.