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Book

Anatomy, Shoulder and Upper Limb, Hand Flexor Digitorum Profundus Muscle

Brandon E. Lung  1 , Bracken Burns  2
In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2025 Jan.
.
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Book

Anatomy, Shoulder and Upper Limb, Hand Flexor Digitorum Profundus Muscle

Brandon E. Lung et al.
Free Books & Documents

Excerpt

The flexor digitorum profundus (FDP) is an extrinsic hand muscle that flexes the metacarpophalangeal (MCP) and distal interphalangeal (DIP) joints of the medial 4 fingers. This muscle originates from the upper three-fourths of the volar and medial surfaces of the ulna, interosseous membrane, and deep forearm fascia. The FDP lies in the deep volar forearm compartment (see Image. Deep External Hand Flexors).

The FDP tendons insert on the bases of the medial 4 distal phalanges, deep to the flexor digitorum superficialis (FDS) tendons. The medial 3 FDP tendons are partially attached as they pass through the carpal tunnel. The FDP tendon of the index finger separates from its medial 3 counterparts proximal to the flexor retinaculum.

Since the FDP tendons arise at or distal to the wrist joint, muscle contraction produces mass action movement in all 4 tendons and allows for a power grip.

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Conflict of interest statement

Disclosure: Brandon Lung declares no relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies.

Disclosure: Bracken Burns declares no relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies.

References

    1. George R, Lee K. Synovial Angioma of the FDP Flexor Sheath: A Rare Cause of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. Open Orthop J. 2013;7:72-4. - PMC - PubMed
    1. Guéro S. Developmental biology of the upper limb. Hand Surg Rehabil. 2018 Oct;37(5):265-274. - PubMed
    1. Raszewski JA, Singh P. StatPearls [Internet] StatPearls Publishing; Treasure Island (FL): 2023. Aug 14, Embryology, Hand. - PubMed
    1. Berezovsky DR, Bordoni B. StatPearls [Internet] StatPearls Publishing; Treasure Island (FL): 2023. Jul 31, Anatomy, Shoulder and Upper Limb, Forearm Arteries. - PubMed
    1. Anderson TB, Bordoni B. StatPearls [Internet] StatPearls Publishing; Treasure Island (FL): 2023. Jul 24, Anatomy, Shoulder and Upper Limb, Forearm Nerves. - PubMed

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