The vincula are specialized structures inherent in the flexor tendons of the fingers, and are of great importance in their nutrition. In addition they facilitate flexion of the fingers following a distal transection of this tendon, allowing it to operate indirectly across the interphalangeal joints. The aim of the present study was to describe anatomic and biometric aspects of the long and short vincula of the flexor muscles of the fingers. The work was carried out in hands of 60 adult Brazilian corpses, of both sexes, with an average age between 17.8±53.1 years. The short vincula were found in 100 % of cases of flexor digitorum superficialis tendons and flexor digitorum profundus muscles, and only one in each tendon, with its location always at the extremity of the tendon, prior to insertion in the proximal interphalangeal joint. The long vincula presented great morphological variation, with an average presence of 61.3 % in tendons of the flexor digitorum superficialis and 77.9 % in the flexor digitorum profundus muscle. Furthermore, the number of vincula per tendon changed, and it was not possible to identify a pattern independently of the muscle. With respect to the location of the long vincula, in the flexor superficial tendons they are inserted in the fibrous sheath of the proximal phalanx, with an oblique course and next to the proximal interphalangeal joint. The vincula of the tendons of the flexor digitorum profundus were located (86.7 %) between both tendons to level of the proximal interphalangeal joint, presenting a rectilinear course between these two tendons, whereas in 13.3 % they were located very close to the opening of the flexor superficialis muscle tendon for passage of the flexor digitorum profundus muscle tendon. The vincula are essential structures in nutrition and finger motion even when injuries are present. It is therefore, important to have a clear understanding of these structures forproper clinical evaluation in the repair, reconstruction and rehabilitation of hand dysfunctions.

KEY WORDS: Hand; Flexor muscles of the fingers; Long and short vincula.