Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 16, 2025
Preparation of Rat Tail Tendons for Biomechanical and Mechanobiological Studies
Published on: July 30, 2010
The Membrane-Like Structure From Extensor Tendon to the Nail in the Distal End of Digits: An Anatomical Study of
Shimpo Aoki, Hisato Nagano1, Tomoharu Kiyosawa1
1Departments of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.
Methods:
The nail structures of 6 cadavers were investigated in each of the 10 digits of the hand. In the histological study, the thickness, length, and location of the SEP were measured in each digit of 3 cadavers. In the other 3 cadavers, the moving distance of the SEP was measured macroscopically with the distal interphalangeal joint in flexion at 0 to 60 degrees for confirmation of the function. This moving distance could be considered as an indicator of the SEP straining the surrounding (retaining) structure and improving the stability of the nail in pinches.
Result:
The SEP was recognized in all the digits. The average length of the SEPs was 2.38 ± 0.11 mm (mean ± SE). The average thickness of the SEPs was 0.35 ± 0.02 mm. The nail matrix and its feeding artery were found beneath the SEP in all digits. The average moving distance of the SEP was 1.38 ± 0.06 mm. This moving distance could be considered sufficiently large to support the role of SEP in the pinches compared with the excursion of the extensor tendon at the DIP joint in a previous report.
Conclusions:
The SEP has been shown to play an essential role in fingertip stabilization in pinches. It can serve as an anatomical marker to avoid iatrogenic damage to the nail matrix in surgical approaches.
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