Flexor retinaculum of the hand
Encyclopedia
The flexor retinaculum is a strong, fibrous band that arches over the carpus
, converting the deep groove on the front of the carpal bones into a tunnel, the carpal tunnel
, through which the Flexor tendons of the digits and the median nerve
pass.
It is attached, medially, to the pisiform and the hamulus of the hamate bone; laterally, to the tubercle of the scaphoid, and to the medial part of the volar surface and the ridge of the trapezium
.
It is continuous, superficially, with the volar carpal ligament; and deep, with the palmar aponeurosis
. It is crossed by the ulnar vessels and nerve, and the cutaneous branches of the median and ulnar nerve
s.
At its lateral end is the tendon of the flexor carpi radialis, which lies in the groove on the greater multangular between the attachments of the ligament to the bone.
On its volar surface the tendons of the palmaris longus and flexor carpi ulnaris are partly inserted; below, it gives origin to the short muscles of the thumb
and little finger
.
Carpus
In tetrapods, the carpus is the sole cluster of bones in the wrist between the radius and ulna and the metacarpus. The bones of the carpus do not belong to individual fingers , whereas those of the metacarpus do. The corresponding part of the foot is the tarsus...
, converting the deep groove on the front of the carpal bones into a tunnel, the carpal tunnel
Carpal tunnel
In the human body, the carpal tunnel or carpal canal is the passageway on the palmar side of the wrist that connects the forearm to the middle compartment of the deep plane of the palm. The tunnel consists of bones and connective tissue...
, through which the Flexor tendons of the digits and the median nerve
Median nerve
The median nerve is a nerve in humans and other animals. It is in the upper limb. It is one of the five main nerves originating from the brachial plexus....
pass.
It is attached, medially, to the pisiform and the hamulus of the hamate bone; laterally, to the tubercle of the scaphoid, and to the medial part of the volar surface and the ridge of the trapezium
Trapezium (bone)
The trapezium bone is a carpal bone in the wrist.The trapezium is distinguished by a deep groove on its palmar surface. It is situated at the radial side of the carpus, between the scaphoid and the first metacarpal bone...
.
It is continuous, superficially, with the volar carpal ligament; and deep, with the palmar aponeurosis
Palmar aponeurosis
The palmar aponeurosis invests the muscles of the palm, and consists of central, lateral, and medial portions.-Central portion:The central portion occupies the middle of the palm, is triangular in shape, and of great strength and thickness....
. It is crossed by the ulnar vessels and nerve, and the cutaneous branches of the median and ulnar nerve
Ulnar nerve
In human anatomy, the ulnar nerve is a nerve which runs near the ulna bone. The ulnar collateral ligament of elbow joint is in relation with the ulnar nerve. The nerve is the largest unprotected nerve in the human body , so injury is common...
s.
At its lateral end is the tendon of the flexor carpi radialis, which lies in the groove on the greater multangular between the attachments of the ligament to the bone.
On its volar surface the tendons of the palmaris longus and flexor carpi ulnaris are partly inserted; below, it gives origin to the short muscles of the thumb
Thumb
The thumb is the first digit of the hand. When a person is standing in the medical anatomical position , the thumb is the lateral-most digit...
and little finger
Little finger
The little finger, often called the pinky in American English, pinkie in Scottish English , or small finger in medicine, is the most ulnar and usually smallest finger of the human hand, opposite the thumb, next to the ring finger.-Muscles:There are four muscles that...
.
See also
- Peroneal retinaculaPeroneal retinaculaThe peroneal retinacula are fibrous bands which bind down the tendons of the Peronæi longus and brevis as they run across the lateral side of the ankle....
- Dorsal carpal ligament
- Extensor retinaculum of the handExtensor retinaculum of the handThe extensor retinaculum is an anatomical term for the thickened part of the antebrachial fascia that holds the tendons of the extensor muscles in place. It is located on the back of the forearm, just proximal to the hand...