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Flexor digitorum superficialis muscle

Dr Daniel J Bell ◉ and Dr Henry Knipe ◉ ◈ et al.

Flexor digitorum superficialis (FDS) muscle, also known as flexor digitorum sublimis muscle, is a muscle in the second(intermediate) layer of the anterior compartment of the forearm. It splits into four tendons, passes through the carpal tunnel under the flexor retinaculum. At the level of the head of the metacarpal, the FDS tendons split and wrap around the flexor digitorum profundus muscle creating an aperture for the flexor digitorum profundus to travel through. The FDS tendons rejoin deep to the flexor digitorum profundus and insert at the volar side of the proximal portion of the middle phalanx of the 2^nd- 5^th digits. It is one of the extrinsic muscles of the hand.

Summary

origin
- humeroulnar head: medial epicondyle of the humerus and coronoid process of the ulna
- radial head: diaphysis of the radius
insertion: via four tendons into the volar aspect of the base of the middle phalanges of digits 2-5 (index, middle, ring and little fingers)
innervation: median nerve (C7-T1)
action: flexion of the proximal interphalangeal joints

Quiz questions

References

Anatomy: Upper limb

Anatomy: Upper limb

skeleton of the upper limb
- clavicle
  - conoid tubercle
  - supraclavicular foramen
- scapula
- humerus
  - supracondylar spur
  - olecranon foramen
- radius
- ulna
- carpal bones (mnemonic)
  - scaphoid
    - bipartite scaphoid
  - lunate
    - lunate morphology
  - triquetrum
  - pisiform
  - trapezium
  - trapezoid
  - capitate
  - hamate
  - variants
    - carpal coalition
      - lunotriquetral coalition
      - capito-hamate coalition
- metacarpals
- phalanges
  - terminal tuft
- accessory ossicles of the upper limb
  - accessory ossicles of the shoulder
    - os acromiale
  - accessory ossicles of the elbow
    - os supratrochleare dorsale
    - patella cubiti
  - accessory ossicles of the wrist (mnemonic)
    - os centrale carpi
    - os epilunate
    - os epitriquetrum
    - os styloideum
    - os hamuli proprium
    - lunula
    - os triangulare
    - trapezium secondarium
    - os paratrapezium
    - os radiostyloideum (persistent radial styloid)
joints of the upper limb
- pectoral girdle
  - shoulder joint
    - articulations
    - associated structures
    - movements
      - scapulothoracic joint
        
        scapular retraction (adduction)
        
        scapular protraction (abduction)
        
        scapular elevation
        
        scapular depression
        
        scapular lateral rotation
        
        scapular medial rotation
      - glenohumeral joint
        
        arm flexion
        
        arm extension
        
        arm abduction
        
        arm adduction
        
        arm internal rotation (medial rotation)
        
        arm external rotation (lateral rotation)
        
        circumduction
    - blood supply - scapular anastomosis
    - ossification centers
- elbow joint
  - proximal radioulnar joint
  - ligaments
    - medial (ulna) collateral ligament complex
    - lateral (radial) collateral ligament complex
      - lateral ulnar collateral ligament
  - associated structures
  - movements
  - alignment
  - blood supply - elbow anastomosis
  - development
    - elbow ossification (mnemonic)
    - elbow ossification centers
- wrist joint
  - articulations
  - ligaments
    - intrinsic ligaments
    - extrinsic ligaments
  - associated structures
    - extensor retinaculum
    - flexor retinaculum
    - joint capsule
  - movements
  - alignment
  - ossification centers
- hand joints
  - articulations
    - carpometacarpal joint
      - triscaphe joint
    - metacarpophalangeal joints
      - palmar ligament (plate)
      - collateral ligament
    - interphalangeal joints
      - palmar ligament (plate)
      - collateral ligament
  - movements
  - ossification centers
spaces of the upper limb
muscles of the upper limb
blood supply to the upper limb
- arteries
- veins
innervation of the upper limb
- intercostobrachial nerve
- brachial plexus (mnemonic)
  - branches from the roots
  - branches from the trunks
    - suprascapular nerve
  - branches from the cords
    - lateral cord
      - lateral pectoral nerve
    - posterior cord
    - medial cord
  - terminal branches
    - ulnar nerve
    - radial nerve
      - posterior interosseous nerve (deep radial nerve)
      - superficial radial nerve
    - musculocutaneous nerve
    - axillary nerve
    - median nerve
      - anterior interosseous nerve
      - bifid median nerve
lymphatic drainage of the upper limb
- axillary lymph nodes

Article information

rID: 23258

System: Musculoskeletal

Section: Anatomy

Tag: refs, cases, cases, muscle, muscle-stub, cases, refs, illustration

Synonyms or Alternate Spellings:

Flexor digitorum sublimis (FDS) muscles
Flexor digitorum superficialis (FDS) muscles
Flexor digitorum sublimis (FDS) muscle

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Cases and figures

Figure 1: carpal tunnel diagram Figure 1: carpal tunnel diagram

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