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The origin structure of each finger in the flexor digitorum superficialis muscle

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Abstract

Purpose

The flexor digitorum superficialis muscle (FDS) is considered the most important of the forearm flexors for maintaining elbow valgus stability. However, the relationships between the origin structure of each finger of the FDS and the anterior oblique ligament (AOL) of the ulnar collateral ligament and the common tendon (CT) in the proximal part, and morphological features are unclear. The purpose of this study was to clarify the relationships between the origin structure of each finger of the FDS and the AOL and the CT, as well as to clarify the morphological features of the muscle belly of each finger of the FDS.

Methods

This study examined 20 elbows. The origin of each finger was examined. Muscle mass, muscle fiber bundle length, and the pennation angle of each finger were also measured.

Results

In all cases, the third and fourth digits originated from the radius, the anterior common tendon (ACT), and the posterior common tendon (PCT). The second and fifth digits (18 elbows) or an independent fifth digit (2 elbows) originated from the ACT, the PCT, the AOL, and other soft tissues of the elbow. Muscle mass and muscle fiber bundle length in the muscle belly of the third and fourth digits were significantly heavier and longer, respectively, than in the muscle belly of the second and fifth digits.

Conclusion

Because the second and fifth digits or an independent fifth digit originated from the AOL, their contraction may cause tension in the AOL.

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to acknowledge and thank those anonymous individuals who generously donated their bodies and so enabled this study to be performed. This study was supported by a Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (19K11358) from the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS) and a Grant-in-Aid program from Niigata University of Health and Welfare (H30B05).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute for Human Movement and Medical Sciences, Niigata University of Health and Welfare, 1398 Shimami-cho, Kita-ku, Niigata City, Niigata, 950-3198, Japan

    Kanta Matsuzawa, Mutsuaki Edama, Masahiro Ikezu, Fumiya Kaneko & Ryo Hirabayashi

  2. Department of Anatomy, School of Life Dentistry at Niigata, Nippon Dental University, Niigata, Japan

    Mutsuaki Edama & Ikuo Kageyama

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  1. Kanta Matsuzawa
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  2. Mutsuaki Edama
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  3. Masahiro Ikezu
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  4. Fumiya Kaneko
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  5. Ryo Hirabayashi
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Contributions

KM: protocol/project development, data collection, data analysis, manuscript, writing/editing. ME: protocol/project development, data collection, data analysis, manuscript writing/editing. MI: data collection, manuscript writing/editing. FK: data collection, manuscript writing/editing. RH: data collection and manuscript writing/editing. IK: protocol/project development, data collection, data analysis, and manuscript writing/editing.

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Correspondence to Kanta Matsuzawa.

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The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Ethical approval

All methods were carried out in accordance with the 1964 Declaration of Helsinki, and all cadavers were legally donated for research purposes to the Nippon Dental University of Life Dentistry at Niigata, Japan.

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Informed consent was obtained from the families of all subjects.

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Matsuzawa, K., Edama, M., Ikezu, M. et al. The origin structure of each finger in the flexor digitorum superficialis muscle. Surg Radiol Anat 43, 3–10 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00276-020-02522-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00276-020-02522-7

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