Contents
Position
- Deep
Origin
- The origin of the tendons of flexor digitorum profundus at the level of the metacarapal bones
- Passes the flexor sides of MCP-joints and at the base of the fingers radial sides they pass over to the dorsal aponeurosis
Insertion
- The muscle attaches to the tendons of extensor digitorum at the level of the proximal phalanx, at the radial side of 2-5 finger
Main function
- 2.-5. finger IP
- Extension
- 2.-5. finger MCP
- Flexion
Nerve innervation
- Segmental
- C8-Th1
- Peripheral
- Median nerve
- Ulnar nerve
Arterial supply
- Radial artery
- Ulnar artery
Palpation
- Patient position
- Sitting or supine
- Place the fingers on the lateral side and the anterior aspect of the little finger's metacarpal
- Ask the patient to flex the little finger at the MCP while the IP-joints are extended
- Feel for the contraction while the patient performs the movement
- Do the same for the 2-4 fingers
Strength test
- Patient position
- Sitting or supine
- Fixate the hand in some degree of extension
- Ask the patient to hold the fingers extended for the IP-joints while the MCP-joints are flexed
- Give resistance towards the dorsal aspect of the middle and distal phalanx in the direction of flexion, so that the patient is giving force twards extension
- Then perform resistance towards the palmar surface of the proximal phalanges towards extension, so that the patient is giving force towards flexion
- It is important to note that these two steps are done seperately, and not in the same movement