A 25-year-old male is brought to the emergency room after a fight in a bar. He was attacked with a knife, and in an attempt to save himself, he grabbed the knife in his right hand. On examination, a deep lacerated wound is found on the palmar surface of the right hand, extending from the index finger at the metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joint through the proximal phalanges of the middle and ring fingers to the middle phalanx of the little finger. He is unable to flex the distal phalanges of these fingers. Which of the following structures is most likely to be injured in his hand?

Question

A 25-year-old male is brought to the emergency room after a fight in a bar.  He was attacked with a knife, and in an attempt to save himself, he grabbed the knife in his right hand.  On examination, a deep lacerated wound is found on the palmar surface of the right hand, extending from the index finger at the metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joint through the proximal phalanges of the middle and ring fingers to the middle phalanx of the little finger.  He is unable to flex the distal phalanges of these fingers.  Which of the following structures is most likely to be injured in his hand?

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Explanation: Digital arteries, nerves, and veins run on the sides, while the flexor tendons run on the anterior surface of the phalanges. Attempting to grab a knife with a hand is likely to injure the tendons than arteries, veins, or nerves due to their relative, vulnerable, anatomic location. Educational Objective: In digital injuries, tendons are more likely to be injured than arteries, veins, or nerves due to their relative, vulnerable, anatomic location.

A 25-Year-Old Male Is Brought to the Emergency Room After