Finger Injuries (cont.)

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Medical Author:

John P. Cunha, DO, FACOEP

John P. Cunha, DO, is a U.S. board-certified Emergency Medicine Physician. Dr. Cunha's educational background includes a BS in Biology from Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey, and a DO from the Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences in Kansas City, MO. He completed residency training in Emergency Medicine at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center in Newark, New Jersey.

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Medical Editor:

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, Chief Medical Editor

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, is a U.S. board-certified Anatomic Pathologist with subspecialty training in the fields of Experimental and Molecular Pathology. Dr. Stöppler's educational background includes a BA with Highest Distinction from the University of Virginia and an MD from the University of North Carolina. She completed residency training in Anatomic Pathology at Georgetown University followed by subspecialty fellowship training in molecular diagnostics and experimental pathology.

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Multimedia

Media file 1:Phalanges (bones) of the finger. The distal, or furthest, phalanx (the tip under the fingernail); the middle phalanx; and the proximal, or closest, phalanx. Anatomy of the tendons and ligaments of the finger.

Picture of Phalanges (bones) of the finger. The distal, or furthest, phalanx (the tip under the fingernail); the middle phalanx; and the proximal, or closest, phalanx. Anatomy of the tendons and ligaments of the finger.

Media type: Illustrations/Pictures

Media file 3:Skier's (gamekeeper's) thumb. The ulnar collateral ligament is torn, causing the joint to be loose.

Picture of Skier's (gamekeeper's) thumb. The ulnar collateral ligament is torn, causing the joint to be loose.

Media type: Illustration/Pictures

Media file 4:Mallet finger. The extensor tendon is torn away from its attachment to the distal phalanx (top). The tendon tears away a small piece of bone with it, causing an avulsion fracture (bottom).

Media type: Illustration/Picture

Media file 5:Swan neck deformity. The volar plate is torn, causing the joint to open abnormally under the pull of the extensor ligaments.

Media type: Illustration/Picture

Media file 6:Boutonniere deformity. The stabilizing part of the extensor tendon, called the central slip, is torn. The rest of the tendon slides toward the palm and causes the finger to bend abnormally.

Media type: Illustration/Picture

Media file 7:Anatomy of the fingernail. Top - The normal fingernail. Bottom - Nail bed laceration with subungual hematoma.