Anatomy of Flexor Digitorum Superficialis

Courtesy: Prof Nabil Ebraheim, University of Toledo, Ohio, USA

ANATOMY OF FLEXOR DIGITORUM SUPERFICIALIS

• Flexor digitorum superficialis is a superficial digit flexor muscle that covers radius,ulna and flexor digitorum profundus
• ORIGIN
  a)Humeroulnar head -from medial epicondyle and from medial side of coronoid process of ulna
  b)Radial head from oblique upper third of anterior border of radius
• INSERTION
  Into the base of middle phalanges of fingers 2 to 5
• ACTION
  Flexes the middle phalanges at proximal interphalangeal joint and metacarpophalangeal joints of digits 2 to 5
• NERVE SUPPLY
  Median nerve

RELATIONSHIP TO MEDIAN NERVE

• Median nerve passes deep to flexor digitorum superficialis muscle after it passes between the two heads of pronator teres muscle and appears superficial approximately 2 inches from wrist joint

TEST TO CHECK INTEGRITY OF FLEXOR DIGITORUM SUPERFICIALIS TENDON

• Ask the patient to flex the involved finger at proximal interphalangeal joint with or without resistance while the remaining fingers are fully extended in order to eliminate the function of flexor digitorum Profundus
  If patient can flex the finger at proximal interphalangeal joint then flexor digitorum superficialis is intact