Biometría de las conexiones intertendinosas del dorso de la mano humana / Biometry of the intertendinous connection of the dorsum of the human hand

RESUMEN: Las conexiones intertendinosas (CIT) son bandas estrechas de tejido conectivo que unen tendones adyacentes del músculo extensor de los dedos. Dichas bandas se ubican de manera superficial en el dorso del segundo, tercer y cuarto espacios intermetacarpianos (EIMC) presentando funciones importantes como colaborar en la estabilización de la articulación metacarpofalángica y permitir la redistribución de fuerzas extensoras sobre esta articulación. El objetivo del presente estudio fue establecer la biometría de las CIT. Para ello se utilizaron 24 miembros superiores formolizados, pertenecientes al laboratorio de Anatomía, de la Universidad Andrés Bello, sede Viña del Mar, Chile. Se registraron las longitudes de inserción lateral y medial, el ancho y la longitud total de cada CIT. Siguiendo dos criterios, las CIT se clasificaron según morfología y además se localizaron según tercios del dorso de la mano. De las 69 CIT encontradas, el 39 % presentó una disposición transversa y 61 % una oblicua. En relación a la clasificación morfológica de la CIT se identificó un 29 % del tipo 1; 39 % del tipo 2. Para el caso del tipo 3, un 20 % presentó la forma "r" y en un 12 % la forma "y". Respecto a su localización se estableció que en el segundo EIMC el 18 % de las CIT se ubicaron el tercio distal del dorso y el 82 % en el tercio medio. En el tercer EIMC el 96 % de las CIT se localizó en el tercio distal y 4 % en el tercio medio. En el cuarto EIMC el 96 % se ubicó en el tercio distal y el 4 % en el tercio medio. Considerando como referencia la línea biestiloidea, las CIT en el segundo EIMC presentaron un promedio de ancho de 8,16 ± 1,94 mm y una longitud total promedio de 13,71 ± 4,70 mm. En el tercer EIMC, un promedio de 10,94 ± 4,39 mm para el ancho y 6,29 ± 3,26 mm de longitud total promedio. En el cuarto EIMC el promedio de ancho fue de 7,00 ± 3,06 mm y la longitud total promedio 7,08 ± 4,42 mm. Estos hallazgos aportan datos respecto de la biometría y localización de las CIT, lo que resulta de utilidad en procedimientos de reparación quirúrgica del dorso de la mano humana.

SUMMARY: Intertendinous connections (IC) are narrow connective tissue bands extending between the extensor digitorum (ED) tendons. These bands are located superficially on the dorsum of the second, third and fourth intermetacarpal (IMC) space, presenting important functions such as collaborating in the stabilization of the metacarpophalangeal joint (MCP) and allowing the redistribution of extensor forces on this joint. The objective of the present study was to establish the biometric characteristics of IC. To do this, 24 formalized upper limbs are used, belonging to the Anatomy laboratory of the Universidad Andrés Bello, Viña del Mar, Chile. Lateral and medial insertion lengths, width and total length of each IC were recorded. Following two criteria, IC were classified according to morphology and were also located according to thirds of the back of the hand. 69 IC were found, 39% presented a transverse arrangement and 61 % an oblique arrangement. In relation to the morphological classification of IC, 29 % of type 1 were identified, 39 % of type 2. In the case of type 3, 20 % presented the form "r" and 12 % the form "y". Regarding its location, it was established that in the second IMC space, 18 % of the IC were located in the distal third of the back and 82 % in the middle third. In the third IMC space, 96 % of the IC was located in the distal third and 4 % in the middle third. In the fourth IMC space, 96 % were located in the distal third and 4 % in the middle third. Considering the biestiloid line as a reference, the IC in the second IMC space considers an average width of 8.16 + 1.94 mm and an average total length of 13.71 + 4.70 mm. In the third IMC space, an average of 10.94 + 4.39 mm for the width and 6.29 + 3.26 mm of average total length. In the fourth IMC space the average total width of 7.00 + 3.06 mm and the average total length of 7.08 + 4.42 mm. These findings provide data regarding the biometrics and location of IC, which is useful in surgical repair procedures on the back of the human hand.

An Anatomic Study of the Extensor Tendons of the Human Hand

PURPOSE: Hands are the chief organs for physically manipulating the environment, using anywhere from the roughest motor skills to the finest, and since the fingertips contain some of the densest areas of nerve endings on the human body, they are continuously used organ with complex functions, and therefore, often gets injured. To prevent any functional loss, a detailed anatomical knowledge is required to have a perfect surgical treatment. Also it is necessary to have a thorough understanding of arrangements of the human extensor tendons and intertendinous connections when tenoplasty or tendon transfer is required. We performed a study of the arrangements of the human extensor tendons and the configuration of the intertendinous connections over the dorsum of the wrist and hand. METHODS: A total of 58 hands from Korean cadavers were dissected. The arrangements of extensor indicis proprius, extensor digitorum communis, and extensor digiti minimi tendons and intertendinous connections were studied. RESULTS: The most common distribution patterns of the extensor tendons of the fingers were as follows: a single extensor indicis proprius(EIP) tendon which inserted ulnar to the extensor digitorum-index(EDC-index); a single EDC-index; a single EDC-middle; a double EDC-ring; an absent EDC-little; a double extensor digiti minimi(EDM), a single EDC-index(98.3%), a single EDC-middle(62%), a double EDC-ring(50%), and an absent(65.5%) or a single (32.8%) EDC-little. A double(70.6%) EDM tendons were seen. Intertendinous connections were classified into 3 types: type 1 with thin filamentous type, type 2 with a thick filamentous type, and type 3 with a tendinous type subdivided to r shaped 3r type and y shaped 3y type. The most common patterns were type 1 in the 2nd intermetacarpal space, type 2 in the 3rd intermetacarpal space, and type 3r in the 4th intermetacarpal space. And in the present study, we observed one case of the extensor digitorum brevis manus(EDBM) on the boht side. CONCLUSION: A knowledge of both the usual and possible variations of the extensor tendon and the intertendinous connection is useful in the identification and repair of these structures.