Lumbricals of the hand explained

Lumbricals of the hand
Latin:musculi lumbricales manus
Origin:Flexor digitorum profundus
Insertion:Extensor expansion
Blood:Superficial palmar arch, common palmar digital arteries, deep palmar arch, dorsal digital artery
Nerve:Third and fourth deep branch of ulnar nerve, first and second median nerve
Action:Flex metacarpophalangeal joints, extend interphalangeal joints
Part Of:Hand

The lumbricals are intrinsic muscles of the hand that flex the metacarpophalangeal joints, and extend the interphalangeal joints.[1] [2]

The lumbrical muscles of the foot also have a similar action, though they are of less clinical concern.

Structure

The lumbricals are four, small, worm-like muscles on each hand. These muscles are unusual in that they do not attach to bone. Instead, they attach proximally to the tendons of flexor digitorum profundus,[3] and distally to the extensor expansions.[1] The first and second lumbricals are unipennate, while the third and fourth lumbricals are bipennate.[4]

Form Origin Insertion
First It originates from the radial side of the most radial tendon of the flexor digitorum profundus (corresponding to the index finger). It passes posteriorly along the radial side of the index finger to insert on the extensor expansion near the metacarpophalangeal joint.
Second unipennate It originates from the radial side of the second most radial tendon of the flexor digitorum profundus (which corresponds to the middle finger). It passes posteriorly along the radial side of the middle finger and inserts on the extensor expansion near the metacarpophalangeal joint.
Third One head originates on the radial side of the flexor digitorum profundus tendon corresponding to the ring finger, while the other originates on the ulnar side of the tendon for the middle finger. The muscle passes posteriorly along the radial side of the ring finger to insert on its extensor expansion.
Fourth bipennate One head originates on the radial side of the flexor digitorum profundus tendon corresponding to the little finger, while the other originates on the ulnar side of the tendon for the ring finger. The muscle passes posteriorly along the radial side of the little finger to insert on its extensor expansion.

Nerve supply

The first and second lumbricals (the most radial two) are innervated by the median nerve. The third and fourth lumbricals (most ulnar two) are innervated by the deep branch of ulnar nerve.[5]

This is the usual innervation of the lumbricals (occurring in 60% of individuals). However 1:3 (median:ulnar - 20% of individuals) and 3:1 (median:ulnar - 20% of individuals) also exist. The lumbrical innervation always follows the innervation pattern of the associated muscle unit of flexor digitorum profundus (i.e. if the muscle units supplying the tendon to the middle finger are innervated by the median nerve, the second lumbrical will also be innervated by the median nerve).[6]

Blood supply

Four separate sources supply blood to these muscles: the superficial palmar arch, the common palmar digital artery, the deep palmar arch, and the dorsal digital artery.[7]

Function

The lumbrical muscles, with the help of the interosseous muscles, simultaneously flex the metacarpophalangeal joints while extending both interphalangeal joints of the digit on which it inserts. The lumbricals are used during an upstroke in writing.

Etymology

The term "lumbrical" comes from the Latin, meaning "worm".[8]

Notes and References

  1. Book: Gosling JA, Harris PF, Humpherson JR, Whitmore I, Willan PL . Human Anatomy: Color Atlas and Textbook . 5th . 2008 . Mosby . Philadelphia . 978-0-7234-3451-1 . Gosling . p. 97
  2. Bilge O, Pinar Y, Ozer MA, Govsa F . The vascular anatomy of the lumbrical muscles in the hand . Journal of Plastic, Reconstructive & Aesthetic Surgery . 60 . 10 . 1120–6 . October 2007 . 17825776 . 10.1016/j.bjps.2006.06.023 .
  3. Wang K, McGlinn EP, Chung KC . A biomechanical and evolutionary perspective on the function of the lumbrical muscle . The Journal of Hand Surgery . 39 . 1 . 149–55 . January 2014 . 24369943 . 4155599 . 10.1016/j.jhsa.2013.06.029 .
  4. Schweizer A . Lumbrical tears in rock climbers . Journal of Hand Surgery . 28 . 2 . 187–9 . April 2003 . 12631495 . 10.1016/S0266-7681(02)00250-4 . 244111 . 10.1.1.539.6140 .
  5. Lauritzen RS, Szabo RM, Lauritzen DB . Innervation of the lumbrical muscles . Journal of Hand Surgery (Edinburgh, Scotland) . 21 . 1 . 57–8 . February 1996 . 8676031 . 10.1016/s0266-7681(96)80013-1 . 8084761 .
  6. Book: Sinnatamby . Chummy S. . vanc . Last's Anatomy: Regional and Applied . 1999 . Churchill Livingstone . Edinburgh . 978-0-443-05611-6 . 10th . 64, 82 .
  7. Zbrodowski A, Mariéthoz E, Bednarkiewicz M, Gajisin S . The blood supply of the lumbrical muscles . Journal of Hand Surgery . 23 . 3 . 384–8 . June 1998 . 9665531 . 10.1016/S0266-7681(98)80063-6 . 26384944 .
  8. Bozer. Cüneyt. Uzmansel. Deniz. Dönmez. Didem. Parlak. Muhammed. Beger. Orhan. Elvan. Özlem. 2018-12-01. The effects of the communicating branch between medial and lateral plantar nerves on the innervations of the foot lumbrical muscles. Journal of the Anatomical Society of India. en. 67. 2. 130–132. 10.1016/j.jasi.2018.11.006. 81678124 . 0003-2778.