Development of the Hand

Chapter 1 describes the motor and receptive skills of the hand and lists the interrelationship between the hand and the brain. After a brief description of the prenatal development of the upper extremity and the temporal occurrence of congenital anomalies, the postnatal development is described, initially in relation to the bony development during growth. This is followed by the anatomy and physiology of the upper extremities. Degrees and directions of movement are explained as well as rapid and effective movement controls. Brief insights into malformed anatomy and physiology are given. These are then deepened in the respective chapters. After listing the nerve trunks of the upper extremities, the chapter turns to the gripping functions, graphomotor skills, and sensory systems, and concludes with the developmental phases from infancy to the 7th year of life, as well as the basics of manual therapy in children.