Benediction Sign

Excerpt

The Benediction sign is a pathological hand posture consisting of the extension of the second and third fingers, abduction of the first finger, and flexion of the fourth and fifth fingers. If triggered when attempting to make a fist, functional failure of the intrinsic muscles involved in flexion of the first, second, and third fingers should be suspected. If the sign is observed when attempting extension of the palm and fingers, then the affected muscles are those involved in extending the fourth and fifth fingers. Muscular impairment is most frequently the result of peripheral nerve pathologies, although rare cases of central nervous system lesions have been associated with these findings.