12. Hand + Wrist Flashcards
What is the deep fascia of the anterior forearm called?
Ante brachial fascia
What is the flexor retinaculum?
A fibrous band on the palmar side of the hand that arches over the carpal bones
What does the flexor retinaculum attach to laterally?
The scaphoid/trapeziod
What does the flexor retinaculum attach to medially?
Pisiform and hamate
What does the flexor retinaculum prevent from happening during flexion?
Bowstringing of the tendons during flexion- this would reduce muscle efficiency
Which tendon fuses with and so strengthens the flexor retinaculum?
Distal tendon of palmaris longus
What structures form the carpal tunnel?
Carpal bones (posteriorly) Flexor retinaculum (Anteriorly)
What are the contents of the carpal tunnel?
Long tendons of the forearm flexor muscles (Flexor digitorum superficialis + profundus, flexor policis longus)
Median nerve
What causes carpal tunnel syndrome?
Compression of the median nerve due to swelling in the tunnel
What forms the superficial palmar arch?
The superficial palmar branch of the ulnar artery and the superficial palmar branch of the radial artery
Where is the superficial palmar arch?
Immediately deep to the palmar aponeurosis
What does the deep palmar arch run?
Across the anterior aspects of the bases of the metacarpals
How many neurovascular bundles supply each finder?What are the names of these bundles?
4 Medial palmar lateral palmar medial dorsal lateral dorsal
Can adrenaline be used as a local anaesthetic for minor surgery on the fingers?
No, as the digital arteries are end arteries
What does the ulnar nerve supply?
Medial part of palm and dorsum of the hand
Little finger
Medial half of ring finger
