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Case report
Submitted: 2023-06-21
Accepted: 2023-07-28
Published online: 2023-11-08
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A very rare case of the accessory palmaris longus muscle and clinical significance

Nicol Zielinska1, Andrzej Borowski2, Marek Drobniewski2, Krystian Maślanka1, Piotr Karauda1, Łukasz Olewnik1
·
Pubmed: 37957935
Affiliations
  1. Department of Anatomical Dissection and Donation, Medical University of Lodz, Poland
  2. Orthopaedics and Paediatric Orthopaedics Department, Medical University of Lodz, Poland

open access

Ahead of Print
CASE REPORTS
Submitted: 2023-06-21
Accepted: 2023-07-28
Published online: 2023-11-08

Abstract

The palmaris longus muscle is located in the forearm region. It morphological variability was noted during standard anatomical dissection of the upper limb. The muscle was characterized by a normal course, i.e. originating from the medial humeral epicondyle and inserting to the palmaris aponeurosis, but a small additional tendon attached to the flexor retinaculum was observed in its distal part. An accessory palmaris longus muscle was also observed nearby. Interestingly, this accessory muscle was reversed, and the first part was not muscular, but tendinous, represented  by two tendons originating from the common muscular mass attached to the medial epicondyle of the humerus; these later connected together, creating one muscle belly distally attached to the flexor retinaculum. This additional structure was innervated by a neural branch from the median nerve and the ulnar artery was responsible for blood supply. The course of the median nerve is also clinically important, because before entering the carpal tunnel, it was located directly under the accessory palmaris longus muscle. In turn, the ulnar artery passed through a special hole created by the flexor digiti minimi brevis and flexor retinaculum, before passing under the palmaris brevis muscle.

Abstract

The palmaris longus muscle is located in the forearm region. It morphological variability was noted during standard anatomical dissection of the upper limb. The muscle was characterized by a normal course, i.e. originating from the medial humeral epicondyle and inserting to the palmaris aponeurosis, but a small additional tendon attached to the flexor retinaculum was observed in its distal part. An accessory palmaris longus muscle was also observed nearby. Interestingly, this accessory muscle was reversed, and the first part was not muscular, but tendinous, represented  by two tendons originating from the common muscular mass attached to the medial epicondyle of the humerus; these later connected together, creating one muscle belly distally attached to the flexor retinaculum. This additional structure was innervated by a neural branch from the median nerve and the ulnar artery was responsible for blood supply. The course of the median nerve is also clinically important, because before entering the carpal tunnel, it was located directly under the accessory palmaris longus muscle. In turn, the ulnar artery passed through a special hole created by the flexor digiti minimi brevis and flexor retinaculum, before passing under the palmaris brevis muscle.

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Keywords

accessory palmaris longus, bifurcated palmaris longus, median nerve compression, morphological variations, Palmaris longus, palmaris profundus, reversed palmaris longus

About this article
Title

A very rare case of the accessory palmaris longus muscle and clinical significance

Journal

Folia Morphologica

Issue

Ahead of Print

Article type

Case report

Published online

2023-11-08

Page views

192

Article views/downloads

222

DOI

10.5603/fm.96136

Pubmed

37957935

Keywords

accessory palmaris longus
bifurcated palmaris longus
median nerve compression
morphological variations
Palmaris longus
palmaris profundus
reversed palmaris longus

Authors

Nicol Zielinska
Andrzej Borowski
Marek Drobniewski
Krystian Maślanka
Piotr Karauda
Łukasz Olewnik

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