Summary
The lumbrical muscles are located in the midpalm, dorsal to the palmar aponeurosis.
The main function of these muscles is an indirect contribution to interphalangeal
joint extension by decreasing the flexor effect of the flexor digitorum profundus
muscle. Due to their minor biomechanical functions and suitable constructions, these
muscles have been preferred in reconstructive surgery as local transposition flaps
or pedicled flaps. Despite the surgical and clinical importance, vascular anatomical
studies of these muscles are not well represented in the current literature.
This study was performed in the Department of Anatomy of the Faculty of Medicine of
the Ege University. Thirty-four cadaver hands, injected with red-coloured latex were
used, and we aimed to describe the morphometry and vascular anatomy of the lumbrical
muscles. We measured the length and width of the muscles, after removing their epimisium,
and the diameter and length of the arteries to the muscles.
The outcomes of our study determined that the length and width of the lumbrical muscles
were reduced significantly from radial towards ulnar sides. The lumbrical muscles
were supplied from both their palmar and dorsal surfaces by both superficial and deep
palmar arches and/or their branches. We also described the level of entry of the dominant
arteries for each lumbrical muscle and measured the size of the vessels and muscles
to guide some surgical approaches.
This anatomical study could guide for some surgical approaches and reduce the deficiency
about the vascular anatomical patterns of the lumbrical muscles in the literature.
Keywords
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References
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: January 27, 2007
Accepted:
June 8,
2006
Received:
June 8,
2005
Identification
Copyright
© 2006 British Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
