Abstract

Background and Objective: Knowledge of normal anatomy of extensor tendons of forearm and hand, along with the variations which can occur in this arrangement of tendons is necessary for anatomists as well as orthopedic surgeons who deal with it. This knowledge is needed for anatomists for routine dissection of the cadaver for teaching, and for surgeons when they operating injured hand or diseased hand where tendon repair or reconstruction is needed. In this study we tried to document the arrangement of extensor tendons of medial four fingers of human hand. Materials and Methods: By using 80 upper limb specimens of human cadaver, arrangement of extensor tendons to the medial four fingers are studied from origin to insertion, including middle part of the tendons to observe splitting in the tendons. The tendons studied are extensor digitorum communis (EDC) with four tendons, namely extensor digitorum communis index (EDCI), extensor digitorum communis longus (EDCL), extensor digitorum communis ring (EDCR), extensor digitorum communis small (EDCS), extensor indicis proprius (EIP) tendon, extensor digiti minimi (EDM) tendon. The special findings are photographed; all the findings are tabulated and analyzed statistically. Results: The important findings are, EDCI is having single tendon in all the 80 specimens (100%). EDCS is absent in 22 specimens (27.5%), 13 right and 9 left limb specimens. EIP is absent in one right side specimen (1.25%). EIP is having double tendons in 10 specimens (12.5%) and triple tendons in 1 specimen (1.25%). EDM is having double tendons in 60 specimens (75%). Conclusion: Many variations are seen in the arrangement of extensor tendons in this study. Variations are especially seen in the tendons of EIP and EDM. EIP showed multiple tendons and it is absent in one limb, EDM also had double tendons in 75% specimens.

Authors and Affiliations