Perforator

A small blood vessel that pierces the deep fascia to supply the skin and subcutaneous tissue from a deeper source artery. Classified by route — direct (straight from a main trunk through fascia), septal (through intermuscular septa), or musculocutaneous (through a muscle before reaching skin). Clinically usable perforators measure 0.5-1.5 mm.

Related terms

• Anatomy

  Angiosome

  A three-dimensional territory of skin, fascia, muscle, and bone supplied by a single named source artery. Adjacent angiosomes communicate through choke vessels that can dilate to extend a flap's safe territory.

• Procedure

  Perforator flap

  A flap raised on a small vessel that pierces the deep fascia to supply the skin, leaving the underlying muscle intact. Conceptualised by Koshima and Soeda in 1989.

• Anatomy

  Vascular pedicle

  The artery, vein, and surrounding tissue that supply blood to a flap. The reliable size and position of a flap depend on the anatomy of its pedicle.

Articles mentioning this term

1. Expert blog · 9 May 2026

   Wolne płaty

   Konceptualny przegląd chirurgii wolnego płata — czym jest, skąd pochodzi, płaty robocze, wyniki i kierunki rozwoju.

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