An Applied Anatomy Study On Metacarpophalangeal Joint Sensory Nerve On The 2～5 Fingers

Purpose: This study is to research the sensory nerve branch of metacarpophalangeal joint(MPJ)of the 2~5 finger,which provided anatomy basis for using denervation to treat MPJ joint pain and rebuild feeling of the joint transplantation on the 2~5 fingers.Methods: Stripes the skin and subcutaneous tissue of 10 cases on antiseptic adult upper limb specimens from the wrist stripes to the fingerwebon the 2 ~5 finger.Observe it under the microscope,along the nerve trunk dissect to the middle of the distal part of the phalanx.Then observe the origin,the evolutionary plane and shape changing rule,measure the external diameter,amount and length of the joint.The collected data were analyzed by statistical method.Results: 1.The origin and quantity of MPJ palmar and dorsal articular branches of 2 ~5 fingers2 ~ 5 finger MPJ palmar for starting in the metacarpus head nearly 0.5 cm plane,the remote branch evoluted from the 1/3 of the proximal segment,which pointed from the digital nerve distal at 1.0 cm to fingerweb 3.0 cm range,2 ~ 5 branchs on the palmar side.2 ~ 5 finger dorsal branch is originated from proper dorsal digital nerve(the ulnar dorsal is missing),which dorsal branch origins galea aponeurotica of approximately 1.5 cm,and the distal branch is sent out from the phalanx base,2 ~ 4 branchs on the dorsal side.The difference of branch’s quantity are not statistically significant.(P >0.05).2.Length of 2 ~ 5fingers to the palmar side and dorsal MPJ articular branchesThe length of 2 to 5 fingers to the side of the radial volar side are(min-max)1.06 ~ 1.90 cm,1.46 ~ 2.02 cm,1.18 ~ 1.78 cm,1.04 ~ 1.40 cm respectively;the ulnar volar joint are 1.36 ~ 1.86 cm,1.46 ~ 1.98 Cm,1.16 ~ 1.64 cm,0.92 ~ 1.20cm;2 ~ 5 fingers to the dorsal radial joint are 0.64 ~ 1.02 cm,0.64 ~ 1.04 cm,0.68 ~ 0.98 cm,0.46 ~ 0.72cm;2 ~ 4 fingers of the ulnar lateral joint are 0.62 ~ 0.94 cm,0.80 ~ 1.22 cm,0.68 ~ 0.94 cm.By statistic comparison,great differences are found between the medial and dorsal branches(P <0.05).3.Branch external diameter of 2 ~ 5 fingers palmar and dorsal MPJ articular branchesThe 2 ~ 5 finger articular branches external diameter thickness ranging from the maximum length of 1.02 mm to the minimum length of 0.32 mm.The difference of branch’s external diameters are statistically significant.(P <0.05).Conclusion: 2 ~ 5 finger articular branches is obvious.The origin,the evolutionary plane and shape changing rule are all have certain routines.From the aspect of anatomy,using denervation to treat proximal interphalangeal joint pain and rebuild feeling of the joint transplantation on the 2-5 fingers is feasible.