120 THE UPPER EXTREMITY 



branches are given to the integument ; and if the dissector 

 exercises sufficient patience and care in the dissection, he 

 will notice attached to the nerve twigs numerous minute, 

 oval, seed-like bodies. These are the Pacinian bodies. At 

 the extremity of the fingers each of the proper volar digital 

 nerves divides into two terminal branches. Of these, one 

 ramifies in the pulp, whilst the other inclines dorsally to 

 reach the bed upon which the nail rests. Several twigs 

 pass to the dorsal aspects of the fingers, and these are chiefly 

 responsible for the supply of the integument on the dorsal 

 aspects of the second and third phalanges. 



Nervus Ulnaris (Ulnar Nerve). The palmar continuation 

 of the ulnar nerve enters the palm by passing superficial to 

 the transverse carpal ligament. It lies secure from the effects 

 of pressure under the shelter of the pisiform bone, and upon 

 the medial side of the ulnar artery. At this level it divides 

 into two terminal branches a superficial and a deep. 



The deep branch is continued distally, upon the transverse 

 carpal ligament, and associates itself with the volar profunda 

 branch of the ulnar artery. It leaves the present dissection 

 by passing dorsally between the abductor and the 'flexor 

 brevis muscles of the little finger. 



The superficial branch runs distally under cover of the 

 palmaris brevis, to which it gives a branch of supply,' and 

 then divides into two common volar digital branches. One 

 of these proceeds obliquely over the short muscles of the 

 little finger to gain the medial side of that digit ; the other 

 runs distally to the cleft between the little and ring fingers, 

 and divides into the proper volar digital branches for the 

 adjacent sides of those digits. A branch of communication 

 passes from the second common volar digital branch of the 

 ulnar nerve to the adjoining common volar digital branch 

 of the median nerve. 



The proper volar digital branches of the ulnar nerve are 

 distributed on the sides of the fingers in precisely the same 

 manner as those derived from the median. 



Lig. Carpi Transversum (O.T. Anterior Annular Liga- 

 ment). This is a thick, dense, fibrous band, which stretches 

 across the front of the concavity of the carpus, and converts it 

 into an osteo-fibrous tunnel for the passage of the flexor tendons 

 into the palm. On each side it is attached to the two piers 

 of the carpal arch, viz. on the lateral side to the tubercle 



