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Research Article| Volume 2, ISSUE 3, P194-199, May 1977

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A systematic study of the oblique retinacular ligament of the human finger: Its structure and function

  • Marvin M. Shrewsbury
    Affiliations
    From the Department of Anatomy, San Jose State University, San Jose, Calif.

    The Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, Calif.
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  • Richard K. Johnson
    Correspondence
    Reprint requests: Richard K. Johnson, M.D., 15215 National Ave., Los Gatos, Calif. 95120.
    Affiliations
    From the Department of Anatomy, San Jose State University, San Jose, Calif.

    The Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, Calif.
    Search for articles by this author
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      A dissection of 14 preserved and two fresh human hands, a total of 64 fingers, all from different individuals, showed the oblique retinacular ligament to vary in completeness and to be functionally present in only 40 to 50 percent of the specimens, except for the ulnar side of the ring finger where it was present in over 90 percent. When present, it was made taut by flexion of the distal phalanx, regardless of the position of the proximal interphalangeal joint. Excision of the ligament when present, or in its absence in these fingers, did not alter the coordinated motion of the interphalangeal joints produced by traction on the extrinsic flexors and the lateral bands. In absence of the ligament, a constant finding was the presence of a proximally located osteocapsular ligament which became taut on extension of the proximal interphalangeal joint.
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