The vascularity of the scaphoid bone

The extraosseous and intraosseous vascularity of the carpal scaphoid was studied in 15 fresh cadaver specimens by injection and clearing techniques. The major blood supply to the scaphoid is via the radial artery. Seventy to eight percent of the intraosseous vascularity and the entire proximal pole is from branches of the radial artery entering through the dorsal ridge. Twenty to thirty percent of the bone, in the region of the distal tuberosity, receives its blood supply from volar radial artery branches. There is an excellent collateral circulation to the scaphoid by way of the dorsal and volar branches of the anterior interosseous artery. An explanation for the cause of scaphoid necrosis on the basis of the vascular anatomy is proposed. The volar operative approach would be least traumatic to the proximal pole's blood supply.