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. 2008:8:e53.
Epub 2008 Nov 18.

Anatomic landmarks for the first dorsal compartment

Ron Hazani  1 , Nitin J Engineer, Damon Cooney, Bradon J Wilhelmi
Affiliations

Anatomic landmarks for the first dorsal compartment

Ron Hazani et al. Eplasty. 2008.

Abstract

Objective: Knowledge of anatomic landmarks for the first dorsal compartment can assist clinicians with management of de Quervain's disease. The radial styloid, the scaphoid tubercle, and Lister's tubercle can be used as superficial landmarks for the first dorsal compartment.

Methods: Thirty-two cadaveric wrists were dissected, and measurements were taken from the predetermined landmarks to the extensor retinaculum. The compartments were also inspected for variability of the abductor pollicis longus tendon and intracompartmental septations.

Results: The average length of the extensor retinaculum from its proximal to distal extent measured approximately 2.2 cm. The distal aspect of the radial styloid was 0.3 cm distal to the distal aspect of the extensor retinaculum, and the distance between the distal aspect of the extensor retinaculum and the APL-Lister's-Scaphoid juncture was approximately 0.5 cm. A separate compartment for the extensor pollicis brevis was noted in 35% of the specimens. The abductor pollicis longus tendon demonstrated great variability with 1, 2, 3, or 4 slips in 9%, 30%, 43%, or 26% of the specimens, respectively.

Conclusion: The superficial bony prominences of the radial wrist can be used reliably as anatomic landmarks for the first dorsal compartment.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Anatomic landmarks for the first dorsal compartment. APL, abductor pollicis longus; ALS, APL-Lister's-Scaphoid; EPB, extensor pollicis brevis.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Intracompartmental septation within the first dorsal compartment for the extensor pollicis brevis tendon.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Slip multiplicity of the abductor pollicis longus tendon. APL, abductor pollicis longus; EPB, extensor pollicis brevis.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Illustration of the anatomic landmarks used for location of the first dorsal compartment. APL, abductor pollicis longus; EPL, extensor pollicis longus; ALS, APL-Lister's-Scaphoid.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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