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Palmaris longus is classified as a phylogenetically retrogressive muscle having a short belly with a long tendon. It varies in the incidence of its absence, form, attachment, duplication and its ability of having accessory slips and substitute structures. The muscle is of interest to hand surgeons because a number of cases have been reported with complaints of a volar distal forearm swelling and median nerve compression symptoms. Therefore, the present study was performed with the purpose to determine the morphology and the variations of PL in North Indian population. Material for the present study consisted of 62 limbs(20 Male and 11 Female) which were made available through a series of dissections performed for first year medical students at SGRDIMSAR, Amritsar, Punjab. The morphology and variations of PL and its relation with neighbouring structures were noted. The data thus collected was stored and compared to other studies. Of 62 limbs dissected 55(88.70%) showed normal morphology of palmaris longus muscle as per the standard textbook. 5 limbs(8.06%) showed complete agenesis. 1(1.61%) limb exhibited a fleshy fusiform PLM. A Reversed palmaris longus muscle(RPLM) along with accessory PL(1.61%) was observed in the same limb. Variations of the PL tendon may even confuse an experienced surgeon. Thus, it is important for the reconstructive surgeons or radiologists to be aware of the possibility of variations and its impact on the structures present at the wrist area especially one that might contribute to median or ulnar nerve compression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The knowledge of Palmaris longus (PL) is a growing interest for its wide role in reconstructive plastic surgeries as a donor tendon for transfer or transplant. The prevalence of the PL agenesis has been well-documented by many authors in different ethnic groups or populations. Many conventional tests for determining the presence of the PL has been described, but lamentably there are many discrepancies in confirming its presence or absence. Slight modifications of the prevailing methods can still give authenticate results. Aim: This prospective study was conducted to determine the incidence of unilateral and bilateral agenesis of PL and its association with sex and side of the limb in the Andhra population of India. Materials and Methods: A total of 942 subjects of both sexes belonging to 18-23 years were used to access the PL using various tendon examination techniques including our modified Schaeffer’s test. The data collected were analyzed by Pearson's c2test using SPSS software. Results: Overall agenesis of muscle in both sexes was 264 (28.0%), out of which 40.2% was seen in females and 14.7% in males with the ratio of 3:1. The unilateral agenesis was seen in 70.5% and bilateral agenesis in 29.5% subjects. The left side agenesis was seen in 51.6% and right side in 48.4% subjects. Conclusions: The prevalence of bilateral and unilateral agenesis was more common on left side with a greater likelihood in the female subjects. The proposed technique could bring better results in all subjects and can be implemented in manual examination of PL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Ethnic variations in the prevalence of the absence of the palmaris longus (PL) tendon are well known. Studies have also attempted to correlate its absence with other anatomical anomalies. However, most studies have been done in Caucasian populations. The present study was undertaken to know the occurrence of absence of palmaris longus in Indian population. Materials and Methods: The presence of the PL tendon was clinically determined in 385 normal Indian men and women using the standard technique. In subjects with an absent PL tendon, three other tests were performed to confirm its absence. All subjects were also examined for the presence of the flexor digitorum superficialis (FDS) in the little finger. Results: The overall unilateral absence of the tendon was 16.9% and the bilateral absence was in 3.3% in our population. There was no significant difference in its absence with regard to the body side or sex. The overall prevalence of the weak FDS in the little finger irrespective of the presence or absence of the PL tendon in our study was 16.10%. If we compare the deficiency of the FDS in the little finger with the absence of the PL tendon, the overall incidence is 4.15% and is statistically significant, while the sexwise distribution of the weak FDS with absent PL tendon was statistically significant in males and in females it was statistically insignificant. Conclusions: The prevalence of the unilateral absence of the PL tendon in an Indian population is comparable to the western population but a bilateral absence is significantly less. In patients with an absent PL tendon, the FDS of the little finger is weak, especially in males. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Palmaris longus muscle, although of little functional use to the human upper limb, assumes great importance when used as a donor tendon for transfer or transplant. The variability in the prevalence of palmaris longus agenesis among various ethnic groups has been established, and the surgeon's awareness of the prevalence in a population or ethnic group is desirable. The prevalence of palmaris longus agenesis has, to the best of the authors’ knowledge, not been reported in Indian patients. Five hundred Indian patients were examined for the presence or absence of palmaris longus tendon, using the conventional test for presence of palmaris longus. The prevalence and pattern of palmaris longus agenesis was analyzed statistically and any difference in prevalence or pattern of palmaris longus agenesis with regard to body side or sex was looked for. All statistical analysis was done using SPSS (version 12). χ2 test was used to analyze the association of agenesis with limb laterality and sex. The prevalence of palmaris longus agenesis was found to be 17.2% (8% bilateral and 9.2% unilateral). The prevalence of agenesis was significantly more common on the left side. Male subjects had a greater likelihood of unilateral agenesis, while female subjects were more likely to have bilateral agenesis. That prevalence of palmaris longus agenesis is race dependent is reaffirmed in the present study. Although the prevalence of palmaris longus agenesis in Indian patients was found to be much higher than the reported average prevalence in an Asian population, this tendon can still be counted on by surgeons treating Indian patients for use as a donor tendon, which will be present in a vast majority of Indian patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Palmaris longus (PL) is a slender, long and fusiform muscle of the forearm and suggested to be a phylogenetically degenerate muscle with weak action. Prevalence of agenesis of PL varies between 6-25%. Flexor digitorum superficialis (FDS) is the largest superficial flexor muscle of the forearm. Variations exist in the tendon of FDS to the little finger and this may influence clinical examination in injuries of the hand. The study was conducted in Adichunchanagiri Institute of Medical Sciences. In total 266 medical students (143 females and 123 males) aged between 17-20 years were evaluated in this cross sectional study. The overall prevalence of absence of PL was 27.44% (table 1). Unilateral absence was noted in 16.19 % and was more predominant than bilateral absence which was noted in 10.52% of the individuals. None of the subjects showed agenesis of FDS to the little finger. However in 14 (5.2 %) function FDS tendon to little finger was dependent on FDS to the ring finger. Even though prevalence of agenesis of PL in Indian population is quite high agenesis of FDS to little finger is a rare phenomenon. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Palmaris longus tendon is often used as a donor tendon by surgeons in tendon grafts. It is one of the flexor muscles of the forearm and documented well for its variations in both morphology and number of tendons. Prevalence of absence of this muscle varies among the individuals of same population and individuals of various ethnic groups. The aim of this study was to assess the existence of Palmaris longus muscle within a group of students and its association with side of the limb and gender of the individual. Methods: Three hundred medical students of 150 males and 150 females with age group of 18-21 years were clinically assessed. The standard Schaffer's test was used for the assessment of PL tendon. If the tendon was not found in this test, the confirmation was done by other four tests. Results: Results of this study shows that an overall absence of palmaris longus muscle in both sexes was found to be 32%, out of which 21% absence was found in males and 43% absence found in females. Among the males, the unilateral agenesis was seen in 16% and bilateral agenesis in 4% and in females the unilateral agenesis was seen in 29% and bilateral agenesis seen in 14%. Conclusions: To conclude; in the present study, prevalence of Palmaris longus muscle agenesis was found to be more in female subjects on their left side. Surgeons who plan for tendon reconstructive procedures should know variations of Palmaris longus muscle and its clinical assessment.