Abstract
Introduction
It is well known that there is a wide variation in the reported prevalence of the palmaris longus (PL) absence in different ethnic groups. This prospective study was conducted to determine the prevalence of absence of PL and correlate it with gender and body side in Turkish population.
Method
In total, 1,350 randomly selected adult patients (675 men and 675 women) who admitted to our outpatient clinic were examined for the absence of PL using Schaeffer’s test and Mishra’s second test. The absence of PL on both sides, results of the first and second examination tests, age, gender and dexterity were recorded and analyzed statistically.
Results
The overall prevalence of absence of PL (unilateral or bilateral) was 26.6% in Turkish population. The absence of PL in women was statistically more common than men. Bilateral absence of PL was statistically frequent than unilateral absence. The prevalence of absence of PL was statistically similar between the body sides.
Conclusion
Mishra’s second test which involves resisted abduction of the thumb, may be better in demonstration of the PL where the muscle was feebly developed, particularly in women.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Ceyhan O, Mavt A (1997) Distribution of agenesis of palmaris longus muscle in 12 to 18 years old age groups. Indian J Med Sci 51(5):156–160
Fahrer M, Tubiana R (1976) Palmaris longus, anteductor of the thumb. Hand 8(3):287–289
George R (1953) Co-incidence of palmaris longus and plantaris muscles. Anat Rec 116:521–523
Ito MM, Aoki M, Kida MY, Ishii S, Kumaki K, Tanaka S (2001) Length and width of the tendinous portion of the palmaris longus: a cadaver study of adult Japanese. J Hand Surg Am 26(4):706–710
Kapoor SK, Tiwari A, Kumar A, Bhatia R, Tantuway V, Kapoor S (2008) Clinical relevance of palmaris longus agenesis: common anatomical aberration. Anat Sci Int 83(1):45–48
Mahajan AL (2005) The ‘fingers fan out’ sign: stick out your palmaris longus even better. Br J Plast Surg 58(2):278–279
Mishra S (2001) Alternative tests in demonstrating the presence of palmaris longus. Indian J Plast Surg 34:12–14
Oudit D, Crawford L, Juma A, Howcroft A (2005) The four-finger sign: to demonstrate the palmaris longus tendon. Plast Reconstr Surg 116:691–692
Pushpakumar SB, Hanson RP, Carroll S (2004) The ‘two finger’ sign. Clinical examination of palmaris longus (PL) tendon. Br J Plast Surg 57(2):184–185
Reimann AF, Daseler EH, Anson BJ, Beaton LE (1944) The palmaris longus muscle and tendon. A study of 1600 extremities. Anat Rec 89:495–505
Roohi SA, Choon-Sian L, Shalimar A, Tan GH, Naicker AS (2007) A study on the absence of palmaris longus in a multiracial population. Malays Orthop J 1(1):26–28
Schaeffer JP (1909) On the variations of the palmaris longus muscle. Anat Rec 3:275–278
Sebastin SJ, Lim AY, Bee WH, Wong TC, Methil BV (2005) Does the absence of the palmaris longus affect grip and pinch strength. J Hand Surg Br 30(4):406–408
Sebastin SJ, Puhaindran ME, Lim AY, Lim IJ, Bee WH (2005) The prevalence of absence of the palmaris longus—a study in a Chinese population and a review of the literature. J Hand Surg Br 30(5):525–527
Sebastin SJ, Lim AY (2006) Clinical assessment of absence of the palmaris longus and its association with other anatomical anomalies, a Chinese population study. Ann Acad Med Singap 35(4):249–253
Sebastin SJ, Lim AY (2006) Clinical assessment of the palmaris longus–too many newer techniques? J Plast Reconstr Aesthet Surg 59(7):784–786
Thompson JW, McBatts J, Danforth CH (1921) Hereditary and racial variations in the musculus palmaris longus. Am J Phys Anthropol 4:205–218
Thompson NW, Mockford BJ, Cran GW (2001) Absence of the palmaris longus muscle: a population study. Ulster Med J 70(1):22–24
Troha F, Baibak GJ, Kelleher JC (1990) Frequency of the palmaris longus tendon in North American Caucasians. Ann Plast Surg 25:477–478
Vanderhooft E (1996) The frequency of and relationship between the palmaris longus and plantaris tendons. Am J Orthop 25(1):38–41
Wehbe MA (1992) Tendon graft donor sites. J Hand Surg Am 17(6):1130–1132
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Kose, O., Adanir, O., Cirpar, M. et al. The prevalence of absence of the palmaris longus: a study in Turkish population. Arch Orthop Trauma Surg 129, 609–611 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00402-008-0631-9
Received:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00402-008-0631-9