People's Journal of Scientific Research
Published June 1, 2015 | Version v1
Journal article Open

Anatomical Study of Extensor Tendons of Medial Four Fingers in Adults and Fetuses-A Cadaveric Study

Authors/Creators

  • 1. Department of Anatomy, Amirtha Institute of Medical Sciences, Kochi,
  • 2. Department of Anatomy, Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research, Dhanvantri Nagar, Pondicherry
  • 3. Department of Anatomy, Annapoorna Medical College, Salem (TN)

Description

Hand is the most frequently used part of our body, rendering it vulnerable to injury. It is mandatory to enhance the existing anatomical knowledge of the extensor tendons of the hand and their common variations whenever reconstructive surgery is planned in this region. That the human extensor muscles of the hand have great variability is now a wellestablished fact. In the present study, data was collected by dissection of fifty hands of formalin fixed adult cadavers and also stillborn full term fetuses. All extensor tendons to the fingers were identified, cleaned and the number and width of the tendon splits and strands were recorded. Single Extensor indicis tendon were found in 39 (78 %), hands while double and triple together were found in nine (18%) hands. Extensor digitorum to the index finger was absent in one (2%) hand, with a single tendon in 45(90%), double and triple together in the remaining four (8%) hands. The Extensor digitorum to middle finger with single tendon were found in 36(72%), double and triple together in 13(26%) and in one case with multiple tendons (2%). The Extensor digitorum to ring finger with single tendon were found in 22(44%), double and triple together in 22(44%) and six (12%) hands had multiple tendons. The Extensor digitorum to ring finger with single tendon were found in 22(44%), double and triple together in 22(44%) and in six (12%) hands with multiple tendons. No tendons of Extensor digitorum to little finger were found in 29(58%) hands ; single tendon was found in 11 (22%) hands and double in 10(20%).Extensor digiti minimi tendons were absent in one (2%) hand, single in nine (18%), and in 35(70%) with double tendons and five (10%) had triple tendons. Abductor pollicis longus with a single tendon were found in 38(76%) hands, absent in one case (2%), double and triple together in 11(22%) hands. The Extensor pollics brevis tendons were single in 47(94%) hands and in the remaining three (6%) hands the tendons were double stranded. Extensor pollicis longus tendons were single in 43(86%); in remaining seven (14%) hands, the tendons were double stranded. Anomalous Abductor pollicis longus, Extensor indicis and an Extensor medii proprius were also observed during the study. Anatomical knowledge of the extensor tendons is important for successful tenosynovectomy in the treatment of De Quervain disease. Knowledge of anomalous extensor tendons may also be helpful in identifying and planning tendon transfer or graft surgeries. Presence of multiple tendons may be beneficial in tendon transfer operations.

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