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The flexor digitorum superficialis (FDS) muscle, also known as the flexor digitorum sublimis muscle, is an extrinsic muscle of the hand. It is located in the forearm and is responsible for flexing the fingers. The FDS is a multitendon muscle that splits into four tendons, passing through the carpal tunnel and attaching to the four fingers. The primary function of the FDS is to flex the middle phalanges of the fingers, excluding the thumb, at the proximal interphalangeal joints. The FDS is a crucial muscle for hand movement and has been extensively studied in the context of tendon injuries and finger independence.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Muscle name | Flexor digitorum superficialis (FDS) |
| Other names | Flexor digitorum sublimis, flexor digitorum communis sublimis |
| Muscle type | Extrinsic flexor muscle |
| Body parts | Fingers, forearm, hand |
| Joint | Proximal interphalangeal |
| Compartment | Anterior |
| Layer | Deepest part of the superficial layer, or a distinct "intermediate layer" |
| Nerve | Median nerve |
| Artery | Ulnar artery |
| Ligament | Ulnar collateral ligament of elbow joint |
| Tendons | Four long tendons that pass through the carpal tunnel formed by the flexor retinaculum |
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What You'll Learn
The FDS is an extrinsic muscle of the hand
The muscles that govern hand motion are composed of extrinsic muscles that reside within the forearm and intrinsic muscles that reside within the hand. The flexor digitorum superficialis (FDS) is an extrinsic muscle of the hand. It is also known as the flexor digitorum sublimis muscle and is located in the anterior compartment of the forearm.
The FDS is one of two muscles in the forearm that flexes the fingers, the other being the flexor digitorum profundus. The FDS has four long tendons that come off the muscle near the wrist and travel through the carpal tunnel formed by the flexor retinaculum. These tendons then split and wrap around the flexor digitorum profundus muscle, creating an aperture for the flexor digitorum profundus tendon to travel through. This crossing of the tendons is called the Camper chiasm.
The primary function of the FDS is flexion of the middle phalanges of the four fingers (excluding the thumb) at the proximal interphalangeal joints. However, under continued action, it also flexes the metacarpophalangeal and wrist joints. The FDS is innervated by the median nerve (C7, C8, T1).
Interestingly, the FDS first differentiates as an intrinsic muscle within the hand and then relocates as myofibers to its final position in the forearm. This translocation of differentiated myofibers across a joint is dependent on muscle contraction and muscle-tendon attachment.
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The FDS is also known as the flexor digitorum sublimis muscle
The FDS, or flexor digitorum sublimis, is also known as the flexor digitorum sublimis muscle. It is an extrinsic flexor muscle of the fingers at the proximal interphalangeal joints. It is the largest of the extrinsic flexors of the forearm and is located in the anterior compartment of the forearm.
The flexor digitorum superficialis (FDS) is a muscle in the second (intermediate) layer of the anterior compartment of the forearm. It is sometimes considered to be the deepest part of the superficial layer of this compartment, and sometimes considered a distinct "intermediate layer". The muscle has two heads: the humeroulnar and radial. The median nerve and ulnar artery pass between these heads. The ulnar collateral ligament of the elbow joint gives origin to part of this muscle.
The flexor digitorum superficialis splits into four tendons, which pass through the carpal tunnel under the flexor retinaculum. At the level of the metacarpal head, these tendons split and wrap around the flexor digitorum profundus muscle, creating an aperture for the flexor digitorum profundus to travel through. This crossing of the tendons is called the Camper chiasm. The flexor digitorum superficialis tendons then rejoin deep to the flexor digitorum profundus and insert at the volar side of the proximal portion of the middle phalanx of the 2nd-5th digits (the index, middle, ring, and little fingers).
The primary function of the flexor digitorum superficialis is flexion of the middle phalanges of the four fingers (excluding the thumb) at the proximal interphalangeal joints. However, under continued action, it also flexes the metacarpophalangeal joints and wrist joint. The flexor digitorum superficialis is often used in tendon transfer surgeries, such as the superficialis sling procedure, which is used to treat swan neck deformity.
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The FDS is in the forearm
The Flexor Digitorum Superficialis (FDS) is an extrinsic flexor muscle of the fingers at the proximal interphalangeal joints. It is located in the anterior compartment of the forearm, specifically in the second (intermediate) layer. The muscle has two heads: the humeroulnar and radial, and it is between these heads that the median nerve and ulnar artery pass.
The FDS is one of the muscles of the forearm that acts on the hand while its muscle belly is located in the forearm. It is also known as the flexor digitorum sublimis muscle. The FDS splits into four tendons, which pass through the carpal tunnel under the flexor retinaculum. At the level of the metacarpal head, the tendons of the FDS split and wrap around the flexor digitorum profundus muscle, creating an aperture for the latter to travel through. This crossing of the tendons is called the Camper chiasm.
The FDS tendons then rejoin deep to the flexor digitorum profundus and insert at the volar side of the proximal portion of the middle phalanx of the 2nd to 5th digits (the index, middle, ring, and little fingers). The FDS is responsible for the flexion of the middle phalanges of these four fingers, excluding the thumb, at the proximal interphalangeal joints. With continued action, the FDS also flexes the metacarpophalangeal and wrist joints.
The FDS is associated with fine motor activities of the hand, and its weakness or injury can affect hand function. Treatment and rehabilitation programs, such as graded exercise regimes, are often necessary to restore FDS function and improve hand dexterity.
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The FDS flexes the proximal interphalangeal joints
The Flexor Digitorum Superficialis (FDS) is an extrinsic flexor muscle of the fingers at the proximal interphalangeal joints. It is located in the anterior compartment of the forearm, which is considered the deepest part of the superficial layer of this compartment. The FDS has two heads, the humeroulnar and radial, and it is between these heads that the median nerve and ulnar artery pass.
The primary function of the FDS is flexion of the middle phalanges of the four fingers at the proximal interphalangeal joints. However, under continued action, the FDS also flexes the metacarpophalangeal joints and wrist joint. To test the FDS, one finger is flexed at the proximal interphalangeal joint against resistance, while the remaining three fingers are held fully extended to inactivate the flexor digitorum profundus (FDP).
The FDS works in conjunction with the FDP, which is a deep muscle of the anterior compartment of the forearm. The FDP is considered an extrinsic hand muscle because it acts on the hand while its muscle belly is located in the forearm. The FDP is the most powerful and most bulky muscle of the forearm, forming the muscular elevation felt on the posterior surface of the forearm. The FDP inserts into the base of the distal phalanx and flexes the distal interphalangeal joint. The FDP and FDS tendons travel distally from the forearm through the carpal tunnel and then traverse a fibro-osseous tunnel in each digit to insert into the respective phalanges.
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The FDS has two heads: humeroulnar and radial
The Flexor Digitorum Superficialis (FDS) muscle, also known as the flexor digitorum sublimis muscle, is an extrinsic flexor muscle of the fingers at the proximal interphalangeal joints. It is located in the anterior compartment of the forearm. The FDS has two heads: humeroulnar and radial.
The humeroulnar head originates from the common origin of wrist flexors, specifically the medial epicondyle of the humerus and the medial border of the coronoid process of the ulna. The radial head, on the other hand, originates on the anterior oblique line of the shaft of the radius. As the FDS courses down the forearm, it separates into two planes of muscular fibres: the superficial and deep planes. The superficial plane further divides to supply tendons for the middle and ring fingers.
The median nerve and ulnar artery pass between the two heads of the FDS. The ulnar collateral ligament of the elbow joint also gives origin to part of the FDS. Four long tendons extend from the FDS near the wrist and travel through the carpal tunnel, formed by the flexor retinaculum. These tendons, along with those of the flexor digitorum profundus, are enclosed by a common flexor sheath.
The primary function of the FDS is the flexion of the middle phalanges of the four fingers (excluding the thumb) at the proximal interphalangeal joints. With continued action, the FDS also flexes the metacarpophalangeal and wrist joints. The flexor digitorum superficialis is innervated by the median nerve (C7, C8, T1).
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, FDS or Flexor Digitorum Superficialis is an extrinsic muscle.
Extrinsic muscles are those that reside within the forearm and govern hand motion.
The primary function of the FDS muscle is flexion of the middle phalanges of the four fingers (excluding the thumb) at the proximal interphalangeal joints.
FDS is also known as the flexor digitorum sublimis muscle.
The FDS tendons wrap around the flexor digitorum profundus muscle, creating an aperture for the latter to travel through.
