Biology 122 Spring, 2008

Laboratory 6

The Hand

OBJECTIVES

At the end of this laboratory you should be able to:

1. Name and identify the position of all of the bones of the hand and wrist on an articulated skeleton, on radiographs and on living subjects.

2. Describe the arrangement and attachments of the extensor and long flexor tendons of the wrist, thumb and fingers in relation to the bones of the hand; know how the attachments relate to function. Understand the structure, position, distribution and function of synovial tendon sheaths of the extensor and long flexor muscles.

3. Know the general areas of origin and insertion, action, innervation and blood supply for the intrinsic muscles of the hand.

4. Describe the symmetry of the hand and how this relates to movements and organization of the intrinsic muscles.

5. Identify and know the distribution of the terminal branches of the median, ulnar and radial nerves in the hand and understand the sensory and motor losses that would be expected after lesions of these nerve at different levels (axilla, elbow, wrist).

6. Review the attachments and function of the flexor retinaculum, and the other structures that contribute to the boundaries of the carpal tunnel.

7. Know the pattern of arterial circulation throughout the forearm and hand.

PRELAB PREPARATION

1. Review the osteology of the hand. Read and study textbook descriptions dealing with the intrinsic structures of the hand (M&D, pp. 737-738, 826-848, 873-874; Netter, 433-461).

2. Give detailed consideration to the function of the ulnar, median and radial nerves in the hand (Synopsis of the Brachial Plexus – notes from web); Netter, 2003; plates 458-461).