tendons in fingers

Flexor

tendons
FDS

·      enters flexor sheath on palmar surface of FDP

·      divides into 2 halves

·      slips

·      flatten

·      spiral around FDP

·      meet on deep surface

·      form chiasma (partial decussation) over PIP jt

·      FDP lies on this tendinous bed

·      slips insert along sides of shaft of P2

FDP

·      enters flexor sheath deep to FDS

·      lies superficial to chiasma of FDS

·      passes distally to base of P3

vinculae

·      both tendons invested by common synovial sheath

·      parietal and visceral layers

·      each tendon receives vessels from palmar surface of phalanges

·      vessels arise from digital arteries

·      pass transversely to finger’s midline immediately proximal to IP jts

·      pass anteriorly to tendons

·      vessels invested in synovial membrane

·      called vinculae

·      each tendon possess long and short vincula

FDS

·      short vinculum

·      near attachment to sides of P2

·      long vinculum

·      double

·      each half possesses vinculum just distal to division

·      passes from P1

FDP

·      short vinculum

·      in angle close to insertion

·      long vinculum

·      from between slips of FDS

·      proximal to chiasma

pulleys

·      fibro-osseous sheath for flexor tendon runs from MCP jt to P3

·      constant thickenings in sheath act as pulleys

·      two types

·      ring - annular

·      cross - cruciate

Annular

·      MCP / P1 / PIP / P2 / DIP

·      A1

·      broad pulley over MCP jt

·      incised for trigger finger release

·      A2

·      broad pulley over proximal part of proximal phalanx

·      abuts A1

·      must be preserved

·      A3

·      narrow pulley over PIP jt

·      A4

·      narrow pulley over middle part of middle phalanx

·      A5

·      narrow pulley over DIP jt

Cruciate

·      P1 / P2 / P2

·      C1

·      over middle part of proximal phalanx

·      between A2 and A3

·      C2

·      over proximal part of middle phalanx

·      between A3 and A4

·      C3

·      over distal part of middle phalanx

zones
Zone V

·      in anterior compartment of forearm

Zone IV

·      in carpal tunnel

Zone III

·      in palm

·      lumbrical region

Zone II

·      in flexor sheaths

·      where both tendons run

Zone I

·      in flexor sheaths

·      distal to insertion of FDS

·      FDP tendon runs alone

synovial sheaths

·      FPL enters sheath just proximal to carpal tunnel

·      sheath becomes radial bursa

·      FDP and FDS tendons enter common sheath just proximal to carpal tunnel

·      terminates for II, III and IV just distal to carpal tunnel

·      continuous with V

·      sheath becomes ulnar bursa

·      II, III and IV have separate sheaths

·      start at neck of MC

·      continues to insertion of FDP

·      pulleys are thickenings in sheath

Intrinsics

lumbricals

·      4 in number

·      act to extend IP jts

·      innervated by

·      median n  and ulnar n

·      usually 2:2 (60%)

·      may be 3:1 (20%) or 1:3 (20%)

·      parallels innervation of FDP in forearm

Origin

·      from tendons of FDP

·      ulnarly innervated lumbricals are bicipital

·      2 heads from adjacent tendons

·      medially innervated lumbricals are unicipital

·      1 head from own tendon

Path

·      pass on radial side of MCP jt

·      pass volar to deep transverse MC ligament

Insertion

·      into radial lateral slip of extensor expansion

interossei
Dorsal

·      abduct fingers (DAB)

·      axis is 3rd MC

·      4 in number

·      one in each cleft

·      2 for middle MC

·      1 for index and ring

·      all interossei supplied by ulnar n

Origin

·      arise from adjacent MC shafts

·      2 heads

·      superficial and deep

·      one from each MC

Path

·      tendon passes dorsal to deep transverse MC ligament

Insertion

·      superficial belly

·      into lateral tubercle at base of P1

·      acts as MC flexor

·      deep belly

·      into lateral slip of extensor expansion

·      acts as IP extensor

Volar

·      adduct fingers (PAD)

·      axis is 3rd MC

·      3 in number

·      one in each cleft except 1st cleft

·      none for middle MC

·      1 for index, ring and middle

·      all interossei supplied by ulnar nerve

Origin

·      arise from middle finger side of own MC shaft

Path

·      tendon passes dorsal to deep transverse MC ligament

Insertion

·      into lateral slip of extensor expansion

Extensor

long extensors

·      consist of

·      EDC

·      EIP

·      EDM

·      EIP and EDM lie to ulnar side of corresponding EDC tendon

·      EDC to ulnar 3 fingers connected by juncturae tendinum proximal to MCP jt

extensor apparatus
Extensor tendon

·      extensor tendon passes across MCP joint

·      deep fibres blend with posterior MCP jt capsule

·      broadens out over dorsal surface of P1

·      forms extensor expansion

·      divides into three slips

·      central slip

·      lateral slips

Central slip

·      central slip passes on over distal P1

·      inserted into base of P2

Lateral slips

·      each lateral slip receives attachment from

·      interosseous proximally

·      lumbrical distally

·      more proximally fibres from interossei and lumbricals contribute to extensor expansion

·      fibres radiate across dorsum of proximal phalanx

·      distally, fibres oblique across distal P1

·      at proximal end, fibres are transverse across proximal P1

Terminal slip

·      tendons and lateral slips converge over dorsum of P2

·      form terminal slip

·      inserted into base of P3

Sagittal bands

·      continuation of dorsal intertendinous fascia

·      becomes firm at MC head

·      bands envelop extensor tendons for 2 cm

·      then pass volarward on either side of MCP jt

·      insert into sides of volar plate

Retinacular ligaments

·      strong narrow bands from P1 to extensor expansion

Oblique

·      originate from near head of P1

·      pass obliquely to lateral slips over P2

·      near convergence to terminal slip

Transverse

·      originate from near head of P1

·      pass transversely to lateral slips over PIP jt

Triangular ligament

·      fascial layer on dorsum of P2

·      base is central slip attachment to P2

·      sides are lateral bands

·      apex is proximal edge of terminal slip