Abstract:
The purpose of this study was to identify surface anatomy of digital nerves in relation to the pigmented border of
digits. Three-hundred and sixty digital nerves in 36 preserved adult cadaveric hands were dissected under
magnification. The digital nerves were constantly located anterior to the pigmented border. The median curvilinear
distance along the skin from the pigmented border to the digital nerves of the index, middle, ring and little
fingers was 1.4mm. In the thumb, this distance was 2.4 and 3.7mm on the radial and ulnar sides, respectively.
The digital nerve was located 2.4mm deep to the skin in all fingers. The median angle to the nerve from the skin
at the pigmented border was 30 . These dimensions differed in the thumb compared with the rest of the fingers.
We conclude that the pigmented border of digits is a reliable anatomical landmark to locate digital nerves.
