Compartments Deep to the Extensor Retinaculum
Nerve and Blood Supply to the Compartments
The compartments deep to the extensor retinaculum house important tendons, nerves, and blood vessels essential for wrist and finger movements. Their anatomy and clinical relevance play a vital role in diagnosing and managing wrist pathologies.
Compartments Deep to the Extensor Retinaculum
The extensor retinaculum of the wrist plays a crucial role in stabilizing the extensor tendons as they traverse the dorsal aspect of the wrist. Beneath this fibrous band lie distinct anatomical compartments housing the tendons, nerves, and blood vessels necessary for wrist and finger movements.
Nerve Supply
The primary nerve providing innervation to these compartments is the posterior interosseous nerve (PIN), which is a branch of the radial nerve. It supplies motor innervation to the extensor muscles within these compartments, facilitating wrist and finger extension.
Blood Supply
The vascular supply to these compartments is primarily derived from the posterior interosseous artery (PIA), a branch of the ulnar artery. This artery ensures adequate perfusion to the extensor muscles, aiding in their metabolic needs during movement.
Anatomical Compartments
- First Compartment: Houses the abductor pollicis longus (APL) and extensor pollicis brevis (EPB) tendons.
- Second Compartment: Contains the extensor carpi radialis longus (ECRL) and extensor carpi radialis brevis (ECRB) tendons.
- Third Compartment: Encloses the extensor pollicis longus (EPL) tendon.
- Fourth Compartment: Holds the extensor digitorum (ED) and extensor indicis (EI) tendons.
- Fifth Compartment: Contains the extensor digiti minimi (EDM) tendon.
- Sixth Compartment: Houses the extensor carpi ulnaris (ECU) tendon.
Clinical Significance
Pathologies such as tenosynovitis, commonly seen in conditions like De Quervain's disease affecting the first compartment, can lead to functional impairment. Understanding the anatomy of these compartments aids clinicians in diagnosing and treating wrist disorders effectively.
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