Flexor digitorum superficialis muscle

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Flexor digitorum superficialis
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Transverse section across distal ends of radius and ulna. (Flexor dig. subliminis labeled at center top.)
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Flexor digitorum superficialis
Details
Origin Medial epicondyle of the humerus (common flexor tendon) as well as parts of the radius and ulna
Insertion Anterior margins on the base of the middle phalanges of the four fingers
Artery Radial artery
Nerve Median nerve
Actions Flexor of fingers (primarily at proximal interphalangeal joints)
Antagonist Extensor digitorum muscle
Identifiers
Latin musculus flexor digitorum superficialis
TA98 A04.6.02.033
TA2 2486
FMA 38469
Anatomical terms of muscle

Flexor digitorum superficialis (flexor digitorum sublimis) or flexor digitorum communis sublimis [1] is an extrinsic flexor muscle of the fingers at the proximal interphalangeal joints.

Contents

It is in the anterior compartment of the forearm. It is sometimes considered to be the deepest part of the superficial layer of this compartment, [2] [3] and sometimes considered to be a distinct, "intermediate layer" of this compartment. [4] It is relatively common for the flexor digitorum superficialis to be missing from the little finger, bilaterally and unilaterally, which can cause problems when diagnosing a little finger injury. [5]

Structure

The muscle has two classically described heads – the humeroulnar and radial – and it is between these heads that the median nerve and ulnar artery pass. [6] The ulnar collateral ligament of elbow joint gives its origin to part of this muscle.

Four long tendons come off this muscle near the wrist and travel through the carpal tunnel formed by the flexor retinaculum. These tendons, along with those of flexor digitorum profundus, are enclosed by a common flexor sheath. The tendons attach to the anterior margins on the bases of the intermediate phalanges of the four fingers. These tendons have a split (Camper's Chiasm) at the end of them through which the tendons of flexor digitorum profundus pass.

Innervation

The flexor digitorum superficialis muscle is innervated by the median nerve (C7, C8, T1). [7]

Function

The primary function of flexor digitorum superficialis is flexion of the middle phalanges of the four fingers (excluding the thumb) at the proximal interphalangeal joints, however under continued action it also flexes the metacarpophalangeal joints and wrist joint.

To test flexor digitorum superficialis, one finger is flexed at the proximal interphalangeal joint against resistance, while the remaining three fingers are held fully extended (to inactivate flexor digitorum profundus).

Additional images

See also

References

  1. ↑ https://www.anatomyatlases.org/atlasofanatomy/plate18/02flexorforearm.shtml [ bare URL ]
  2. ↑ MedicalMnemonics.com: 273 1117
  3. ↑ "Dissector Answers – Forearm & Wrist". Archived from the original on 2011-07-18. Retrieved 2008-01-17.
  4. ↑ "uams.edu". Archived from the original on 2008-01-19. Retrieved 2008-01-17.
  5. ↑ Townley, W. A.; Swan, M. C.; Dunn, R. L. R. (June 2010). "J Hand Surg Eur". Journal of Hand Surgery (European Volume). 35 (5): 417–418. doi:10.1177/1753193409358523. PMID   20515987.
  6. ↑ Drake, Richard L.; Vogl, A. Wayne; Mitchell, Adam W. M. (2019-01-15). Gray's Anatomy for Students E-Book: Gray's Anatomy for Students E-Book. Elsevier Health Sciences. ISBN   978-0-323-61105-3.
  7. ↑ Lutsky KF, Giang EL, Matzon JL (January 2015). "Flexor tendon injury, repair and rehabilitation". Orthopedic Clinics of North America. 46 (1): 67–76. doi:10.1016/j.ocl.2014.09.004. PMID   25435036.
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