THE RELATIVE RESPONSES OF THE DORSAL METACARPAL, DIGITAL AND TERMINAL SKIN ARTERIES OF THE HAND IN VASOCONSTRICTOR REFLEXES

Abstract

The participation of these various arteries in vasoconstrictor reflexes in the hand was studied by recording their vol. pulses with the photoelectric plethysmograph. The dorsal metacarpal and the digital arteries do not usually participate in the so-called spontaneous waves, in the vasoconstrictor reflexes elicited by loud noises, immersion of opposite hand in icewater or by application of cold to the finger whose pad pulses are being recorded. These results are most simply explained by considering the vasomotor reflexes as highly selective with respect to the vascular topography involved in the reactions. The results are similar to the observations previously reported on the radial artery.