Multiple bilateral anatomical variations of the tendons of the forearm and wrist: a case report based on a cadaver study

Karl JACOBS, Roelof Jan OOSTRA

Abstract

Anatomic variations of the tendons of the forearm and wrist are frequently encountered during routine cadaver dissection, radiological examination and surgical interventions. A wide array of these muscular and tendinous variations of the forearm and wrist has been described in the anatomic, radiological and surgical literature. During a routine cadaver dissection, we came across multiple anatomical variations in the left and right upper limb of a male cadaver including: an unusual variation of the origin of the abductor pollicis longus muscle; a supernumerary extensor muscle and tendon to the thumb (m. extensor pollicis tertius); and a quadruple tendon variant of the m. extensor digiti minimi. We describe these variations, their possible embryonic origin and their clinical and didactic relevance.