A generic morphological model of the anatomic variability in the m. flexor digitorum profundus, m. flexor pollicis longus and mm. lumbricales complex.

In the present study a generic model is presented of the anatomic variability in the muscle group formed by the m. flexor digitorum profundus, m. flexor pollicis longus and mm. lumbricales. This model provides a hypothesis about the structural causes of the frequent interdependence of tendons and muscle bellies in this muscle group. The model considers the muscle group as composed of two simple elementary building blocks: the monogastric contractile units of the FDP-FPL, and the digastric contractile elements of the lumbrical, and shows that these units can be assembled into complex entities, to which in reality a third structural element, the synovial membranes, not discussed in the present paper, adds a further complexity. The model allows to generate homologues of the existing anatomical variants, which are illustrated by typical dissection results. The present study should be of relevance to the morphologist, embryologist, surgeon, and musician/pedagogue. To the morphologist, it presents an alternative method of description or understanding of anatomic variability, based on (i) the 'atomary' concept that the anatomic structure is assembled from simple basic elements, and (ii) the local spatial constraints. To the embryologist, it raises the question to what degree the 'atomary' anatomical components of this model, which describes the macroscopic anatomy of the muscle group in detail, have an embryological basis. To the surgeon, the study presents detailed information about the scope of the variability in the deep flexor group, and the nature of its intertendinous connections. To the musician/pedagogue, it presents a visual illustration of the congenital interdependence of the muscles and tendons of an important finger motor group, as a possible cause of lack in finger independence which may hamper a fluent instrumental technique.