The terminology of perforator artery according to basic and clinical anatomy points of view

Abstract

Background: Perforator flap has become popular over last decade. Many new perforator flaps described in the literature but there is a problem about standardization in terminology. Standardization of terminology is essential as communication tool in all the medical fields. Therefore, it was important to define what is perforator artery according to basic and clinical anatomy points of view. Methods and results: Literature study is used to define what is perforator artery. Perforator artery is called perforantes in Latin anatomical nomenclature and perforating anatomy in clinical term. Both have definition as vessel that has its origin in one of the axial vessels of the body and that passes through certain structural elements of body . In basic anatomical, perforantes or perforating artery is classified easily such as first perforating artery, second perforating artery and third perforating artery. In clinical anatomy, there are many perforating artery classification such as Hallock’s and Nakajima’s classification. Hallock divided into direct and indirect perforating vessel related with deep fascia while Nakajima classified deep fascia perforators into six patterns of vascular supply Conclusion: There is no differences of perforator artery definition, but there is differences of perforator artery classification between basic and clinical anatomy points of view.