Hand Anatomy and Functional Grasp Lecture

A comprehensive set of vocabulary flashcards covering hand anatomy, muscle functions, mnemonics, and functional grasp patterns discussed in the lecture.

Extrinsic Hand Muscles

Muscles that originate outside of the wrist (in the forearm) but have tendons that pass over the wrist to act on the hand.

Intrinsic Hand Muscles

Muscles that are located entirely within the hand itself.

Thenar eminence

The fleshy mass at the base of the thumb on the palmar surface of the hand.

Hypothenar eminence

The fleshy area on the palm located at the base of the fifth digit.

Second Digit

The formal term for the index finger, following the thumb which is the first digit.

Universal Cuff

An assistive device used to help patients with limited manual dexterity perform tasks such as brushing their teeth.

Power Grasp

A type of grasp used for activities requiring strength, such as opening a jar of pickles.

Precision Grasp

A type of grasp used for intricate, fine motor tasks such as doing buttons on clothing or handling jewelry.

CMC Joint

The carpometacarpal joint, which at the thumb is described as both a triaxial joint and a saddle joint.

Opposition

The movement of the thumb across the palm to touch the tips of the other digits.

Reposition

The action of returning the thumb from a position of opposition back to its original anatomical position.

Distal Carpal Arch

An arch of the hand that is sometimes measured in $cm$ to track edema and swelling after surgery.

Retinaculum

A structure (flexor or extensor) that provides wrist stability and prevents tendons from 'bowstringing.'

Interosseous Muscles

Muscles named for being 'between bones'; located between the metacarpals.

Flexor digitorum superficialis (FDS)

The muscle closer to the surface that 'splits in two' to permit the profundus tendon to pass through to the middle phalanx.

Flexor digitorum profundus (FDP)

The muscle that passes through the split in the superficialis to attach to the distal phalanx.

Pollicis

The Latin-derived term referring specifically to the thumb.

Brevis

A term meaning 'short,' derived from the same Latin root as the word 'brief.'

Extensor indicis

The muscle used for pointing or extending the index finger, associated in the transcript with the 'red room' mnemonic.

PAD

An acronym for Palmar ADduction, referring to the action of the palmar interosseous muscles.

DAB

An acronym for Dorsal ABduction, referring to the action of the dorsal interosseous muscles.

Lumbricals

Muscles that facilitate a specific grasp often compared to an 'L' shape or a puppet movement.

Cylindrical Grip

A power grip used for tasks such as performing a pull-up.

Spherical Grip

A power grip used when opening large round objects like a pickle jar.

Hook Grip

A grip commonly used for carrying heavy items with handles, such as grocery bags.

Pad-to-Pad

A precision grasp typically used to pick up a small item like a coin.

Tripod Grasp

A precision grasp used for holding a pencil or manipulating small hardware like nuts and bolts.

Lateral Prehension

A grasp used for actions such as turning a key in a lock.

Lumbrical Pull

The specific grip used when lifting a flat object like a plate.

Tenodesis

The functional use of passive insufficiency where wrist extension causes fingers to flex, often taught to patients with spinal cord injuries to facilitate grasping.