The Location and Distribution of Hand Sesamoid Bones in Korean

Journal of the Korean Society for Surgery of the Hand 2004;9(1):21-25.
Published online January 1, 2004.

Jin Sam Kim, Goo Hyun Baek, Moon Sang Chung, Sanglim Lee, Jun Bae Kim

한국인에서의 수부 종자골의 위치와 빈도

김진삼, 백구현, 정문상, 이상림, 김준배

Abstract

Introduction: The sesamoid bones are embedded in tendons, in close relation to joint surfaces, having different sizes from patella to sesamoid bones in hand. Hand consists of many small bones, and there are many sesamoid bones in different locations. Many authors in Englishliterature have reported the location and incidence of hand sesamoid bones. In contrast, there has been no report on Korean about this matter. This study provides location and incidence of sesamoid bones of hand in Korean by examining radiographs. Materials and Methods: The sesamoid bones were examined in 480 radiographs of the hands. Of these, 240 were of women and 240 of men, all of who were reached skeletal maturity over 18 year-old and had no history of hand fracture, surgical treatment and endocrinal disorder. Posteroanterior, lateral and oblique radiographs were taken of each hand. The presence of sesamoid bones was observed and recorded by one same person. Statistical differences between left and right side or between men and women were evaluated by Chi-square test. Results: In this study, the sesamoids of the metacarpophalangeal joint of thumb were always present. Sesamoid were also seen in 54.5% of the interphalangeal joint of the thumb. Other sesamoids were observed in radiographs of the metacarpophalangeal joint of the index finger in 46.7 % of the cases and the little finger in 43.1%. There were no significant statistical difference between left and right side or between men and women. 2 cases of bipartition were observed. Conclusions: In adult hand, as a rule, there are five sesamoid bones; two sesamoid bones are present at MP joint of the thumb, one at interphalangeal joint of the thumb, one at the index finger MP joint, and one at the same joint of the little finger. This study has demonstrated the incidence of hand sesamoid bones in Korean.