Detailed anatomical knowledge of the dorsal hand veins and the beginning of the cephalic vein (CV) will help ensure safe venipuncture in many clinical applications. This study aims to evaluate the anatomical variation of venous patterns on the dorsum of the hand, the beginning of the CV, and its relationship to the radial styloid process in living Sudanese. The dorsal metacarpal veins (DMVs) of the hand and the beginning of the CV were studied in 440 healthy hands, 240 (54.5 %) males and 200 (45.5 %) females, between January and April 2024, using a tourniquet and a digital camera. Two methods were adopted to identify venous patterns, the course of most visible DMVs, and the communications between them. Five different types of venous patterns were observed; the most common pattern was type III (34 %) followed by type II (29.5 %), while type VI (2.5 %) was less observed. There were no statistical differences between venous patterns and sex or between the right and left sides of the body sides, (p>0.05. In (45.3 %) of males and (46.2 %) of females, the CV was found begins at the confluence of the first dorsal metacarpal vein with the second. In (76.6 %) of males (and 78.5 %) of females, the CV was found runs posterior to the radial styloid process. The second and third DMVs have participated in the formation of most venous patterns. The union of the first with second DMVs considered the best point for determining the beginning of CV. A higher incidence of CV location posterior to the radial styloid process is considered a suitable point to find this vein during venipuncture.
KEY WORDS: Anatomical variations; Venous pattern; Dorsum of the hand.
ELGHAZALY A. E. Anatomical variations of venous patterns in the dorsum of the hand and beginning of the cephalic vein in live Sudanese. Int. J. Morphol., 42(6):1700-1705, 2024.
