Author(s)

Obi Nzeako, Ramon Tahmassebi, Jane John-Lewis, James Baggott

Department of Trauma & Orthopaedics, Kings College Hospital, London, UK.

This review explores the nuances of the well-known “Hand of Benediction”, a gesture that has been captured in art and has a rich religious history. When the historical development of the Hand of Benediction is examined, it can be seen that it finds resonance in the blessings given by prominent individuals like St. Peter, Jesus Christ, and the popes. Various explanations for its genesis, encompassing anything from nerve dysfunctions to crucifixion injuries, are scrutinized closely to offer a thorough grasp of the historical background. The hand’s anatomy, which is controlled by the ulnar and median nerves, serves as the main source of clarification. This review examines how benediction sign is produced by proximal median nerve lesions as opposed to distal ulnar nerve lesions, which cause ulnar clawing. To understand the subtleties of hand postures linked to these nerve injuries, the intrinsic and extrinsic muscles of the hand are investigated in detail. Clinical examination techniques, which take into account potential complicating variables such as Dupuytren’s contracture, are described in depth to assist practitioners in differentiating between diseases of the median and ulnar nerves. This review seeks to reconcile the fields of art, medicine, and religion by highlighting the need of accurate anatomical descriptions. Ultimately, it provides a more complex interpretation of the Hand of Benediction, promoting precision in medical jargon and enhancing the multidisciplinary conversation about this mysterious motion.

Hand of Benediction, Median Nerve, Ulnar Nerve, Claw Hand

Nzeako, O. , Tahmassebi, R. , John-Lewis, J. and Baggott, J. (2024) The Truth about the Hand of Benediction. Open Access Library Journal, 11, 1-9. doi: 10.4236/oalib.1111424.