Abstract
The hand goes through complex morphological modifications during embryogenesis. The goal of this study was to use geometric modeling to study the morphometric modifications of the palmar arch. Five embryos were used for the study (sizes: 15, 17, 23, 30, and 44 mm). After digitalization of histologic sections (Sony DXC-930P 3CCD camera, Leica Qwin) and segmentation of the metacarpal cartilaginous matrices (Winsurf 4.3 software), geometric modeling and calculations were performed using MSC.Patran 2005r2 software. Correlations (r > 0.99) were found between embryo size and metacarpal volume, metacarpal surface, and the surface of the modeled palmar arch. The growth of the palmar arch is nonhomothetic. Significant reduction (P = 0.05) in the divergence of the 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th metacarpals was observed. Deepening of the palmar arch is correlated with embryo size and age (r > 0.99). Geometric modeling allows 3D rendering of histologic sections and thus quantitative description of the morphogenesis. The results of this study support the hypothesis that opposition of the thumb in correlation with deepening of the palmar arch appears early in embryological development. It constitutes a specific morphological characteristic that appears very early in the human phylum. The fact that the human thumb is naturally in opposition in the resting position is a consequence of this morphogenesis. The thumb's resting position has received little attention in clinical settings and should be considered as the reference position for biomechanical analysis of the thumb column.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.