The additional tendons of the extensor digitorum muscle of the hand: An anatomical study with a clinical significance

Srijit Das*, Israa M. Sulaiman, Farida Hussan, Azian Abd Latiff, Farirah Haji Suhaimi, Faizah Othman

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

2 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

The extensor digitorum (ED) muscle of the hand originates from the lateral condyle of the humerus and splits into four tendons; each for one phalanx except the thumb. Literature reports have described multiple tendons (usually two) to each digit but in the presented study we observed four tendons to the ring finger, what is rare. During a routine dissection of the cadavers, we observed an anomalous arrangement of the ED tendon on the left hand of a 42-year-old male. The anomalous tendons to the ring finger were studied in detail, the surrounding structures were carefully delineated and the specimen was photographed. The ED muscle originated as usual from the lateral condyle of the humerus, continued downwards, passing inferiorly to the extensor retinaculum to split into individual tendons for each of the digits. There was a single tendon to the index, middle and ring finger as usual but the ring finger displayed four tendons. All the tendons attached to the phalanges were as described in anatomy textbooks. The arrangement of the anomalous tendons of ED to each of the digits is not uncommon, but existence of four tendons to the ring finger is extremely rare. The increased number of tendons to the ring finger may increase the extension component of the ring finger. Anatomical knowledge of the tendons of the extensor muscles of the hand may be also beneficial for hand surgeons performing graft operations.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)584-586
Number of pages3
JournalBratislava Medical Journal
Volume109
Issue number12
Publication statusPublished - 2008
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Anatomy
  • Extensor digitorum
  • Graft
  • Muscle
  • Surgery
  • Tendon
  • Variations

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Medicine

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