Motor branches of the median nerve supplying flexor digitorum superficialis, arising in the proximal forearm just distal to the pronator teres branches. The FDS is the most reliably median-innervated forearm muscle — absent in AIN palsy — and its function is tested by isolated PIP flexion with adjacent fingers blocked.
FDS function is assessed by blocking the DIP joints (eliminating FDP contribution) and testing PIP flexion individually for each finger. Selective FDS palsy is unusual; its combination with FCR weakness indicates a median nerve injury distal to the pronator teres but proximal to the AIN takeoff. FDS slips are a common donor for tendon transfer surgery in high median nerve palsy.
Loss of FDS motor branch from median nerve injury above the elbow producing weak PIP flexion and loss of the FDS slip as a transfer donor, requiring alternative sources (EIP, BR) for opposition reconstruction.
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