The vincula to the flexor tendons of the hand

Four groups of vincula were identified within the flexor tendon sheath of 116 cadaver specimens. Each group originated from an individual arterial digital arcade. The V1 and V2 vincula were the primary carriers of blood supply to the superficialis tendon. The V3 and V4 vincula were the main supply to the profundus tendom. A simplified nomenclature is suggested to clarify this complex anatomic area. The terms "brevia" and "longa" are only useful to describe the shape of the vincula in these four positions.