title: Presence of multiple tendinous insertions of palmaris longus: a unique variation of a retrogressive muscle.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Palmaris longus, being the most variable muscle of the upper extremity is generally considered important morphologically rather than functionally. The palmar aponeurosis represents the distal part of the tendon of Palmaris longus.
  
  
  METHODS
  We report here a unique case of palmaris longus presenting variation distally as its tendon divides to gain multiple attachments with the fascia covering the abductor pollicis brevis, flexor retinaculum and the tendon of flexor carpi ulnaris. In addition, it also continues as palmar aponeurosis as its normal course.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Presence of this kind of variation might result in compression of the median and ulnar nerves and may aggravate the complications in case of inflammation of palmar aponeurosis thus mimicking the manifestations of Dupuytren's contracture.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy, Melaka Manipal Medical College (Manipal campus), Manipal University, Manipal. Karnataka, India.
authors.forename: Naveen
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Kumar
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy, Melaka Manipal Medical College (Manipal campus), Manipal University, Manipal. Karnataka, India.
authors.forename: Jyothsna
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Patil
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy, Melaka Manipal Medical College (Manipal campus), Manipal University, Manipal. Karnataka, India.
authors.forename: Ravindra S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Swamy
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy, Melaka Manipal Medical College (Manipal campus), Manipal University, Manipal. Karnataka, India.
authors.forename: Surekha D
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Shetty
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy, Melaka Manipal Medical College (Manipal campus), Manipal University, Manipal. Karnataka, India.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Abhinitha
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy, Melaka Manipal Medical College (Manipal campus), Manipal University, Manipal. Karnataka, India.
authors.forename: Mohandas Kg
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Rao
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy, Melaka Manipal Medical College (Manipal campus), Manipal University, Manipal. Karnataka, India.
authors.forename: Satheesha B
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Nayak
mesh_terms: D002102:Cadaver; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004387:Dupuytren Contracture / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D005542:Forearm / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000209:etiology; D008297:Male; D020423:Median Neuropathy / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000473:pathology*; D009408:Nerve Compression Syndromes / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology*; D053401:Palmar Plate / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D013710:Tendons / Q000473:pathology*; D017769:Ulnar Nerve Compression Syndromes / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology
keywords: Dupuytren's contracture; Palmaris longus; palmar aponeurosis