Anatomical study of the extensor apparatus of the fingers

ABSTRACT

Twenty eight human adult hands of fresh and preserved cadavers were included in this study. Eight of them were injected with red latex to study the arterial supply of the extensor apparatus. Careful dissection was done to demonstrate the parts of the extensor apparatus of the fingers and their arterial supply. The present study illustrated the complex structure of the extensor apparatus of the fingers which is formed of the tendinous and ligamentous portions. The intertendinous connection between the tendon of extensor digitorum to the index and middle fingers was always thin and weak. Variations and anomalies in the tendons that inserted in the extensor expansion of the fingers were encountered. Thumb had its own definite extensor expansion similar to a great extent to that of the other fingers. The components of the extensor apparatus received their blood supply from branches of the proper palmar digital arteries and dorsal metacarpal arteries and/or dorsal digital arteries