Benediction Hand
Benediction Hand
Median nerve lesions in the axilla or upper arm cause weakness in all median nerve innervated muscles, including flexor digitorum profundus. On attempting to make a fist, impaired flexion of the index and middle fingers, complete and partial respectively, results in a hand posture likened to that of a priest saying benediction.
A somewhat similar, but not identical, appearance may occur with ulnar nerve lesions: hyperextension of the metacarpophalangeal joints of the ring and little fingers with slight flexion at the interphalangeal joints. The index and middle fingers are less affected because of the intact innervation of their lumbrical muscles (median nerve).
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