An unusual palmaris longus tendon: variation in the insertion and orientation at the level of wrist joint

Vasantha Kumar

Abstract

Palmaris longus is a muscle often used in reconstructive plastic surgery mainly in tendon transfer procedures for replacement of long flexors of the fingers. It has also been used for many other procedures including ptosis correction, lip augmentation and management of facial paralysis. Absence of palmaris longus in humans appears to be hereditary, but its genetic transmission is not clear. We report here a variant pattern of insertion of palmaris longus, and its probable significants. Any variation in the insertion of tendon of the palmaris longus is gaining importance as it is becoming very popular amongst graft material for reconstructive surgeries.