Absence of the palmaris longus muscle: a population study.
We examined 300 Caucasian subjects (150 males, 150 females) aged 18-40 years to assess the incidence of palmaris longus absence. The presence or absence of palmaris longus was assessed by clinical inspection. Forty-nine subjects had unilateral absence of palmaris longus (16%). The tendon was absent bilaterally in 26 subjects (9%). Unilateral and bilateral absence was more common in males, however this was not statistically significant (p = 0.25 and 0.56 respectively). In those subjects with unilateral absence, the right side was found to be more commonly affected however no statistical significance was evident (p = 0.25).
Thompson
N W
NW
Department of Plastic and Maxillofacial Surgery, Ulster Hospital, Dundonald, 700 Upper Newtownards Road, Belfast BT16 0RH. nthompson@doctors.org.uk
Mockford
B J
BJ
Cran
G W
GW
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000013:Congenital Abnormalities / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006225:Hand; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D009660:Northern Ireland / Q000453:epidemiology; D013710:Tendons / Q000002:abnormalities*