Claw Hand, Ape Hand, and the Sign of Benediction: Animated Review

Dr. Eric Laywell, Associate Professor at the Florida State University College of Medicine, discusses three hand deformities resulting from various injuries to the nerves of the forearm: Claw hand, ape hand, and the sign of benediction. These signs are easily confused as they have have similar clinical presentations and involve many of the same hand muscles. Dr. Laywell's narrated review, with animated muscles joints and tendons, clarifies the sites of injury and the mechanics behind the signs' presentations.
Special thank you to our content editors Dr. Christopher Leadem and Dr. Lynn Romrell of the Florida State University College of Medicine.
This animation was directed and produced by Jodi Slade, senior medical illustrator at the FSU College of Medicine.
This animation and all content is ©2017 The Florida State University College of Medicine

[@clubpenguinsucks]

this was beyond what i was expecting, probably one of the best made medical videos i've seen. the careful animation and attention to detail with every phrase being said is something many other channels lack

[@michaelmike121]

this sets a very high standard

[@mosesmoses8751]

I also felt the same

[@FairbrookWingates]

Two years of school, 2 rotations in the field, a whole lot of reading and studying and this is the first time the difference between "ape" and "benediction" has truly been explained. "Aple" hand is the default resting position of median nerve dmg. "Benediction" occurs when a person attempts flexion of all the digits. Got it now, thank you! So simple yet never simple stated anywhere else.

[@Rawia-fz6kh]

ttt&&&&&55fT⅝&555555&5&5

[@RaySiow_MD]

This video worth more than a million dollars, thanks for the video, this is magical!

[@fz4298]

BEST EXPLANATION EVER - heartfelt thanks from a medical student. Please put up more if you would!

[@jasonroberto6474]

InstaBlaster

[@deenonly]

This is the best video I have ever seen in my life explaining these complex issues so clearly...

[@michaelcanino4048]

One of the most well-put-together anatomy videos/explanations I've ever seen. From start to finish everything was incredibly well explained with no room for misinterpretation.

[@lisagonzalez2902]

Hey, this was brilliant! Thanks so much for finding the logic in all of these injuries.

[@nha8909]

This is so freaking awesome, the fact that you reviewed the muscles and the joint made it so easy. Now I’ll never forget any of these clinical signs

[@eirikdegard4498]

without reading up on the topic, or watching the video. Do you still remember? =)

[@travelwithdrawal8067]

This is incredible. I was quite overwhelmed by this info in PA school but this is crystal clear.

[@NLKEquestrian]

This explained a confusing 50 min lecture in 8 minutes. Bless.

[@JackofAce]

BEST EXPLANATION EVER - heartfelt thanks from a medical student. Exactly what I was going to say.

[@jsamdog]

This explained what several websites failed. Thank you

[@rediah]

WHAT?!! WHY AM I SEEING THIS TODAY! This video singlehandedly outsmarted professors in my university. Kudos

[@Chippyishere]

this should be played in all anatomy classes

[@hv889]

You just saved me from 30 hours of studying. You're an MVP. Thanks!

[@ericbandar944]

Wow @Doctor Eric Laywell, God bless you and your team. Excellent , Excellent video with explanation made super easy.

[@fcritchey]

Adding to the chorus but seriously, thank you, this is SO well done and I finally understand how these injuries work.

[@lynnwoodcarter3486]

Do u suffer from any?

[@emilyshi696]

soooo helpful- i loved how the animations go way beyond solely diagrams. Thank u!

[@TT-vs2ti]

Thank you so much for explaining this concept! It was so confusing for me, but you cleared it up with your thorough explanation with great visuals!

[@Dragon-Slay3r]

Thanks

[@amirgalal8328]

I have an exam tomorrow and you saved my great amount of time by your simple explanation, thank you

[@Izsibirisluboviu]

Thank you so much for this video! Best explanation on the topic

[@bensdemosongs]

Clear explanation and helpful animation. This is an incredible vid!

[@lechat489]

Incredibly clear explanations. Thank you!

[@viv2950]

that was absolutely perfect, so logically explained and i love the animation , one would understood even not a medical student

[@nirajatrey9878]

@Doctor Eric Laywell ...just excellent👍👍👍👍

[@ostmosis]

Incredible video with excellent visuals. Thanks so much for this!

[@navesezana6289]

I have experienced tons of struggles till i watched this amazing video, thanks alot!

[@radicalarachnid475]

Wonderful explanation with excellent animations. Thanks a ton!

[@indielips26]

You make the best explanations i've seen! Thanks!

[@Pheonasa]

Appreciated! Love those animations and explanation you made.

[@folamimorris574]

This was the greatest review ever.

[@a.m.a5122]

thank you! never been explained better

[@whatwouldhousedo5136]

Perfectly presented- thank you!

[@aligunduzsarioglu]

I have always been a great student but never fully understand the difference between claw hand and hand of benediction. Thank you for this amazing video.

[@bluesky-mi2sx]

OMG ! This video is life saving ! Thank you very much

[@Neuroandgeneralhospital]

Thanks Dr. Eric. Great work!

[@1981Anood]

Thanks for making our lives easy.

[@mdebadullah6911]

The best explanation ever!! Thankyou so much doc.

[@mariannarudakova1735]

Great videos. Very high quality and get down to the essence of what is important in an approachable way. Please make more animated videos.

[@duocphamtruongtho4462]

Thank you so much for explaining this concept!

[@tatib7986]

Best explanation EVER!!!!! Now I can really understand it! Thank you

[@indiandancey]

Please make more videos!! This has been life saving!!!

[@lynnwoodcarter3486]

Do u suffer from any?

[@brainman709]

This is one hell of a video! Absolutely the best!

[@bre1263]

Precisec....concise...clean clear......thanks so much

[@ZVMed]

Thank you so much. I have a test in a few hours and you saved me

[@sunnyD2529]

Awesome job guys, extremely helpful!

[@aniktabor7989]

Awesome video. Amazing job at explaining the concepts and great pictorals. Saved it for future review!

[@masterbirdyster]

Perfect explanation!

[@josephineveksler-lam8814]

Thanks very much for explaining the causes of these confusing signs.

[@amiespence7952]

have to agree with all prior comments - BEST EXPLANATION EVER - thank you

[@bgtcaho]

Considering my attention span and the amount of information in this video I am truly amazed that I captured pretty much all that was presented.

[@niafisher2093]

THANK YOU SO MUCH! I am a true visual learner so the pictures combined with the excellent explanation helped ALOT. Thank you! - from a stressed PT student

[@rjb1122]

Fabulous video and presentation. Superb quality.

[@banuibrahim8676]

I haven't seen a video more interesting and understanding than this.. Wow.. Thank you

[@DanielWilliamHancock]

Great explanation of the clinical differences between The Hand of Benediction and ulnar claw

[@Dr.Boctor]

What a remarkably well-done video that deserves the highest of praise. This should raise the standard for medical education

[@Khan-vm4pz]

Thank you. The best one on the topic by far.

[@trohanag]

😮 OMG , i have been searching for this years.thank you very much. Sir.

[@49hiram]

Excellent method of clarification .

[@dishasave9539]

Wow!! I loved the explanation and the visuals

[@aryanshojaeifard936]

Fantastic description. Thank you

[@kawaiikatrina]

this was so good - THANK YOU 🙏

[@nunchukgrl2]

This was SOOOO well explained!! Thank you!

[@tathianeacioli8541]

Clear and precise explanation! Thank you!

[@wfshine]

I love you PhDs, the illustration is much more better than MDs.

[@ChongBoy1]

Thanks so much for this, I understand whats happened to me for the last ten years that I hide. Now I at least know what happened after my accident. It was way over my head but I really got the effects and actions very clear! Thanks mate!!!

[@sugarhayesajol9785]

Thank you. This really made a lot of sense. Kudos!

[@shreyachhabra3676]

Truly a fruitful one! 🙌 Thank you so much sir! 🙏🌼

[@jamesashton1875]

Very useful video for explaining a previously complicated concept

[@omercan5996]

We're waiting for another physican guide videos like this one thanks

[@exequielborghi]

EXCELLENT!!!!! Hand surgeon level master class!!!!

[@ridaallauddin5364]

very well explained!!!!! splendid!!!

[@fatmaelwishy3852]

More than great!! Thank you 🌹🌹

[@matildepittarello9747]

Incredible video, thanks a lot !

[@niktanakhaei9027]

wonderful ! very clear and complete .

[@gloriacampos3692]

Love the detail. Thank you

[@lyeeqahmed]

Very nicely explained indeed. Thank you

[@user-rb5ne3em8b]

A million thx couldn’t be enough. Good job!.

[@thearthurmigliazza]

Perfect video!

[@kunmunnayak3575]

Excellent animation and explanation

[@dr.matthewjones4661]

That was incredibly helpful, thank you so much

[@mesfer19800]

brilliant. thanks very much

[@hyacinthocampo5864]

Well done!

[@correo0814]

Excellent. Thank you!

[@khushalidesai3634]

best video !!!!! the explanation is damn good

[@krutarthshukla3067]

beautiful explanation .thank you

[@SanjoySanyal]

Very, very good!!!

[@vishnudev01]

Wow. Wonderfully explained!

[@ranjinirajainfilm]

Excellent video here, thank you!!

[@eishakhalid345]

That was great. Never understood this well in 7 years of med school and internship thanks haha❤

[@eugenias471]

amazing video. if only there were more like this!

[@clairel5797]

Amazing explanation and video! 👍🏻👏🏼

[@ryancadogan4504]

thank you very much. Greetings from Jamaica

[@lovejaude2069]

Thank you so much!! Just saved my grade 😊

[@anifler]

simply astonishing work! :)

[@louistung9274]

You have saved my exam. THANK YOU

[@mohsinrasheed7811]

Extremely grateful

[@marks.50]

Well done.

[@zainabali6140]

Best explanation ever

[@enochbrown8178]

Outstanding video! Thank you very much.