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

[@fz4298]

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

[@jasonroberto6474]

InstaBlaster

[@RaySiow_MD]

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

[@Chippyishere]

this should be played in all anatomy classes

[@NLKEquestrian]

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

[@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?

[@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.

[@deenonly]

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

[@amirgalal8328]

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

[@jsamdog]

This explained what several websites failed. Thank you

[@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? =)

[@Dr.Boctor]

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

[@rediah]

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

[@travelwithdrawal8067]

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

[@Purpledove1e]

This is really the best video about this topic that I have ever watched… THANKYOU ❤

[@bre1263]

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

[@amitkumar-uw9fz]

Colleges should follow this kind of teaching..which make clear concept in mind...

[@hv889]

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

[@michaelmike121]

this is quality medical education. This is a standard

[@indiandancey]

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

[@lynnwoodcarter3486]

Do u suffer from any?

[@anatomyinsight]

this is great! the only thing is that at 6:14 I think the FDP for digits 4 and 5 is also knocked out by an ulnar nerve lesion, so it's only the FDS that contributes to the unopposed flexion...

[@rufussweeneymd]

I noticed that and puzzled over it for a bit. Glad someone else noticed it and commented.

[@saritastreng2673]

@@rufussweeneymd Yes, this was my thought as well.

[@chonsukhavanichsin5635]

FDP is divided above the wrist so it still remains function.

[@chiragmehta585]

So what he showed was a DISTAL ulnar nerve lesion if you look at the point where he put the lesion; at this point, the ulnar nerve has most likely provided its motor innervation to the FDP for digits 4 and 5, which is why they wouldn't be affected (based on where he put his lesion). IF the lesion was more proximal, then you would definitely be correct.

[@ahmedelsabe6542]

Absolutely simply explained!!!

[@amiespence7952]

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

[@lisagonzalez2902]

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

[@wfshine]

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

[@emilyshi696]

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

[@rjb1122]

Fabulous video and presentation. Superb quality.

[@1981Anood]

Thanks for making our lives easy.

[@ryancadogan4504]

thank you very much. Greetings from Jamaica

[@radicalarachnid475]

Wonderful explanation with excellent animations. Thanks a ton!

[@bluesky-mi2sx]

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

[@viv2950]

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

[@DrAurangzebAfzalHealthTV]

Excellent

[@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

[@JackofAce]

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

[@navesezana6289]

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

[@nirajatrey9878]

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

[@a.m.a5122]

thank you! never been explained better

[@whatwouldhousedo5136]

Perfectly presented- thank you!

[@eishakhalid345]

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

[@pupsiuspupuliukas2394]

The Soviet school anatomists loved to ask about this during exams. Reminded me of medical school so many years back.

[@ericbandar944]

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

[@DanielWilliamHancock]

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

[@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

[@ZVMed]

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

[@ridaallauddin5364]

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

[@josephineveksler-lam8814]

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

[@folamimorris574]

This was the greatest review ever.

[@hat3039]

At min 6:13 of the video, you mentioned that flexor digitorum superficialis and profundus is active BUT in fact the FDP ulnar part is supplies by Ulnar nerve so the remaining only FDS that will act

[@immunealtair2737]

omar sameer for those that may have the same confusion, the injury to the ulnar nerve in this case is distal, therefore muscles that are proximal to the injury such as FDP will still be innervated by the ulnar nerve and will be able to do the corresponding action.

[@saritastreng2673]

@@immunealtair2737 Thank you. I was so confused by this.

[@faltufaltu2990]

@@immunealtair2737 by reading omar i got same confusion but right next comment you cleared it thanks

[@ShameenFerdinando]

Best explanation. Not even close

[@ezralimm]

Amazing video and animations. Never quite understood it.

[@mohsinrasheed7811]

Extremely grateful

[@SanjoySanyal]

Very, very good!!!

[@Izsibirisluboviu]

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

[@omercan5996]

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

[@guts3194]

Saved me from my nightmare topic ty very much

[@zainabali6140]

Best explanation ever

[@masterbirdyster]

Perfect explanation!

[@bensdemosongs]

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

[@krutikparikh456]

excellent explanation

[@thearthurmigliazza]

Perfect video!

[@khmergodhobbies]

I just passed my metacarpal PHD after watching this thorough video. Very informative.

[@josephhirmiz468]

I just want to know, how many hours were spent creating this illustration and the overlying narration? Excellent job. Thanks.

[@banuibrahim8676]

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

[@duocphamtruongtho4462]

Thank you so much for explaining this concept!

[@clairel5797]

Amazing explanation and video! 👍🏻👏🏼

[@exequielborghi]

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

[@aniktabor7989]

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

[@jamesashton1875]

Very useful video for explaining a previously complicated concept

[@correo0814]

Excellent. Thank you!

[@49hiram]

Excellent method of clarification .

[@clairel5797]

Amazing video. You explain very well! 👍🏻

[@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.

[@matildepittarello9747]

Incredible video, thanks a lot !

[@kylecontreras8741]

Simply perfect video

[@brainman709]

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

[@babariqbal413]

Very great lecture

[@lechat489]

Incredibly clear explanations. Thank you!

[@drzuls]

Correction at 6.10...in claw hand..flexor pull is only bt FDS..not by FDP...4th,5th tendon of FDP supplied by ulnar nerve itself.....thnks...

[@aashaymody9280]

Brilliant video!

[@gabrielolusetire531]

Awesome Explanation

[@aryanshojaeifard936]

Fantastic description. Thank you

[@marks.50]

Well done.

[@hyacinthocampo5864]

Well done!

[@anifler]

simply astonishing work! :)

[@Khan-vm4pz]

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

[@indielips26]

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

[@mariaduque4974]

What an amazing video! Wow!

[@ostmosis]

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

[@ashlex561]

Best explanation ever!! Thank you so much :)

[@Neuroandgeneralhospital]

Thanks Dr. Eric. Great work!

[@h.q.1736]

Great explanation thank you

[@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!!!

[@hindalmaeeni8088]

Great video. Thank you very much.

[@mesfer19800]

brilliant. thanks very much

[@fatmaelwishy3852]

More than great!! Thank you 🌹🌹

[@S.GUY-977]

Thank you, distinctive explanation 🔥🙏🏻

[@Isabella-id6ez]

such a soft voice. I felt in love with your voice. Sending hi from Germany.