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Extensor digitorum muscle tendon to the index finger from the extensor carpi radialis brevis: a cadaveric case report
Affiliations- Department of Anatomy, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Krakow, Poland
- Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Greece
open access
Abstract
The forearm extensor compartment is known for its wide variability in terms of
muscle origin, number of tendons and their distal insertion. The index finger on
its dorsal aspect is the typical place of insertion of the two tendons of the extensor
digitorum (ED-index) and of the extensor indicis. Being acquainted with their
anatomy is of immense importance to orthopaedic surgeons in the treatment of
e.g., de Quervain’s syndrome.
The current report presents a rare finding of the ED-index tendon arising from
the extensor carpi radialis brevis (ECRB). A routine dissection revealed their fused
course from the lateral epicondyle of humerus, though separate from the extensor
carpi radialis longus. The ED-index muscle belly separated from the ECRB, 119 mm
distal to the lateral epicondyle. The distal insertion point of the ED-index was
located radially to that of the extensor indicis. The deep branch of the radial
nerve and the recurrent interosseous artery supplied the ED-index. No other
musculotendinous variations were encountered neither on the ipsilateral nor the
contralateral upper limb of the cadaver.
This study presents in detail a tendon of the ED-index arising from the ECRB,
a knowledge that can be applied namely in the lateral epicondylitis treatment
or approach to the ulnar nerve at the level of the elbow. Extensive depiction of
both the proximal and distal attachment points of the muscles, their course and
dimensions is indispensable to attain the best patient outcomes and avoid iatrogenic
injuries.
Abstract
The forearm extensor compartment is known for its wide variability in terms of
muscle origin, number of tendons and their distal insertion. The index finger on
its dorsal aspect is the typical place of insertion of the two tendons of the extensor
digitorum (ED-index) and of the extensor indicis. Being acquainted with their
anatomy is of immense importance to orthopaedic surgeons in the treatment of
e.g., de Quervain’s syndrome.
The current report presents a rare finding of the ED-index tendon arising from
the extensor carpi radialis brevis (ECRB). A routine dissection revealed their fused
course from the lateral epicondyle of humerus, though separate from the extensor
carpi radialis longus. The ED-index muscle belly separated from the ECRB, 119 mm
distal to the lateral epicondyle. The distal insertion point of the ED-index was
located radially to that of the extensor indicis. The deep branch of the radial
nerve and the recurrent interosseous artery supplied the ED-index. No other
musculotendinous variations were encountered neither on the ipsilateral nor the
contralateral upper limb of the cadaver.
This study presents in detail a tendon of the ED-index arising from the ECRB,
a knowledge that can be applied namely in the lateral epicondylitis treatment
or approach to the ulnar nerve at the level of the elbow. Extensive depiction of
both the proximal and distal attachment points of the muscles, their course and
dimensions is indispensable to attain the best patient outcomes and avoid iatrogenic
injuries.
Keywords
extensor digitorum, extensor carpi radialis brevis, anatomy, variation
About this articleTitle
Extensor digitorum muscle tendon to the index finger from the extensor carpi radialis brevis: a cadaveric case report
Journal
Issue
Article type
Case report
Pages
740-744
Published online
2022-04-28
Page views
1154
Article views/downloads
780
DOI
Pubmed
Bibliographic record
Folia Morphol 2023;82(3):740-744.
Keywords
extensor digitorum
extensor carpi radialis brevis
anatomy
variation
Authors
W. Chaba
S. Popovchenko
K. Shafarenko
M. Piagkou
J. A. Walocha
P. Depukat
M. P. Zarzecki
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