Georgi P Georgiev1, R Shane Tubbs2, Alexandar Iliev3, Georgi Kotov3, Boycho Landzhov3. 1. Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, University Hospital Queen Giovanna-ISUL, Medical University of Sofia, 8 Bialo more str., 1527, Sofia, Bulgaria. georgievgp@yahoo.com. 2. Seattle Science Foundation and Department of Anatomy, St. George's University, True Blue, Grenada. 3. Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Medical University of Sofia, Sofia, Bulgaria.
Abstract
PURPOSE: The extensor indicis proprius (EIP) is a muscle of the forearm that originates from the posterior surface of the ulna and the adjacent interosseous membrane and attaches to the index finger. Many anatomical variations of this muscle have been reported in the literature. The extensor digitorum brevis manus (EDBM) is a variant muscle found on the back of the wrist and hand. These muscle variants should be considered in the context of clinical syndromes and reconstructive hand surgery. The aim of the present study was to describe in detail the normal and variant anatomy of these muscles and propose new systematic classifications. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Formol-carbol-fixed Europid upper limbs (n = 176) were examined in the Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology at the Medical University of Sofia for variations of the EIP and occurrences of the EDBM. RESULTS: We found normal anatomy in 147 (84%) of the specimens examined and we measured the length and width of the muscle belly and tendon of the EIP. Variations of the EIP in the other 29 upper limbs (16%) included replacement of the EIP by an EIB, coexistence of the EIP and EIB, presence of accessory tendons, and additional muscles. CONCLUSIONS: Knowledge of anatomical variations of forearm muscles is important because they can cause clinical syndromes or have implications for reconstructive surgery, most often as tendon transfers in response to functional loss of other forearm muscles.
PURPOSE: The extensor indicis proprius (EIP) is a muscle of the forearm that originates from the posterior surface of the ulna and the adjacent interosseous membrane and attaches to the index finger. Many anatomical variations of this muscle have been reported in the literature. The extensor digitorum brevis manus (EDBM) is a variant muscle found on the back of the wrist and hand. These muscle variants should be considered in the context of clinical syndromes and reconstructive hand surgery. The aim of the present study was to describe in detail the normal and variant anatomy of these muscles and propose new systematic classifications. MATERIALS AND METHODS:Formol-carbol-fixed Europid upper limbs (n = 176) were examined in the Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology at the Medical University of Sofia for variations of the EIP and occurrences of the EDBM. RESULTS: We found normal anatomy in 147 (84%) of the specimens examined and we measured the length and width of the muscle belly and tendon of the EIP. Variations of the EIP in the other 29 upper limbs (16%) included replacement of the EIP by an EIB, coexistence of the EIP and EIB, presence of accessory tendons, and additional muscles. CONCLUSIONS: Knowledge of anatomical variations of forearm muscles is important because they can cause clinical syndromes or have implications for reconstructive surgery, most often as tendon transfers in response to functional loss of other forearm muscles.
Authors: Moon Sang Chung; Goo Hyun Baek; Joo Han Oh; Young Ho Lee; Hoyune Esther Cho; Hyun Sik Gong Journal: J Hand Surg Am Date: 2008-03 Impact factor: 2.230