Dorsal venous network of hand
(Redirected from Dorsal digital veins of the hand)
Dorsal venous network of hand
The dorsal venous network of the hand is a complex network of veins located on the dorsum (back) of the hand. It is primarily responsible for the drainage of blood from the hand back to the heart.
Etymology[edit | edit source]
The term "dorsal" comes from the Latin word "dorsum" which means back. The term "venous" is derived from the Latin word "vena" which means vein. The term "network" is derived from the Old English word "netweorc" which refers to any interconnected system.
Anatomy[edit | edit source]
The dorsal venous network of the hand is formed by the confluence of the digital veins of the fingers. It drains into the cephalic vein and the basilic vein, which are the main veins of the arm. The network is located superficially, meaning it is close to the surface of the skin.
Function[edit | edit source]
The primary function of the dorsal venous network of the hand is to return deoxygenated blood from the hand to the heart. It also plays a role in thermoregulation, as the veins can constrict or dilate to help regulate body temperature.
Clinical significance[edit | edit source]
The dorsal venous network of the hand is often used for venipuncture (the process of drawing blood from the veins) due to its superficial location and easy accessibility. It is also used for the insertion of intravenous catheters for the administration of fluids and medications.
Related terms[edit | edit source]
- Dorsum: The back or posterior part of a structure.
- Digital veins: Veins that drain blood from the fingers.
- Cephalic vein: A major vein of the arm that drains into the axillary vein.
- Basilic vein: A large vein of the arm that helps drain the dorsal venous network of the hand.
| Dorsal venous network of hand Resources | |
|---|---|
|
 |
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
|
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
| Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD
