Morphological variations and clinical applications of Palmaris longus muscle: A cadaveric study

The Palmaris longus muscle is the most suitable autograft material for various reconstructive surgeries. Keeping this in view the present cadaveric study was undertaken. The study was carried out in the Department of Anatomy, JSS Medical College, Mysore, Karnataka State, India. The Palmaris longus muscle was dissected in 30 adult embalmed cadavers (60 limbs), 10 females and 20 males, the average age of the cadavers was between 40-60 years. Variations pertaining to agenesis, aberrancy of its attachment in its origin and insertion, duplication and triplication, accessory slips were observed and noted. The length, breadth and thickness of each muscle belly and tendon was carefully measured and noted. It was observed that in each specimen there were variations in the thickness and length of Palmaris longus muscle and tendon. The Palmaris longus muscle, which was once thought to be a vestigial and degenerating structure, can be of maximum use as a graft material in various plastic & reconstructive surgeries which will be discussed in detail, without producing any residual defects in the donor. The various clinical applications of Palmaris longus will be discussed in detail.