RT Journal Article
T1 Palpation of the lateral bands of the extensor apparatus of the fingers. Anatomy of a neglected clinical finding
A1 Canoso, Juan J
A1 Naredo, Esperanza
A1 Martínez Estupiñán, Lina
A1 Mérida Velasco, José Ramón
A1 Pascual Ramos, Virginia
A1 Murillo González, Jorge Alfonso
AB This study aimed to determine by ultrasonography, and cadaveric dissection, whether the firm cords felt by palpation at the sides of the proximal phalanx (PP), actively flexing, and extending the proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joint while keeping the metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joint extended are the lateral bands (LBs) of the extensor apparatus. If so, palpation of the LBs could help evaluate hand conditions that impact the digits’ intrinsic muscles. To this end, the PP of the middle and ring fingers of the dominant hand of seven subjects were studied by palpation on both sides. Ultrasonography (US) was performed with a hockey-stick transducer placed on the ulnar side. Five cadaveric hands were dissected, exposing the dorsal extensor apparatus. On palpation, a firm cord was consistently felt at the PP's sides in all subjects. These cords moved widely forward on PIP flexion and backward with PIP extension. By US scanning, the cords corresponded to the LBs. However, the forward movement had only a median of 1.8 mm (range 0.7–3 mm) in the middle finger and a median of1.1 mm (range 0.3–2.7 mm) in the ring finger compared with an estimated 5–10 mm upon palpation. Cadaveric dissection confirmed the forward movement of the LBs in PIP flexion. We concluded that the firm cords felt at the PP sides are the LBs of the extensor apparatus. We confirmed their movement with the active flexion/extension of the PIP joint. Comparing the wide palpatory and the meager US motion, a haptic illusion of motion may be present.
PB WILEY
SN 0021-8782
YR 2021
FD 2021-04-25
LK https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14352/92011
UL https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14352/92011
LA eng
NO Canoso JJ, Naredo E, Martínez-Estupiñán L, Mérida-Velasco JR, Pascual-Ramos V, Murillo-González J. Palpation of the lateral bands of the extensor apparatus of the fingers. Anatomy of a neglected clinical finding. J Anat. 2021 Sep;239(3):663-668.
DS Docta Complutense
RD 29 sept 2024