Clinical Assessment of Agenesis of Palmaris Longus and Flexor Digitorum Superficialis in Indian Population

Palmaris longus (PL) is a slender, long and fusiform muscle of the forearm and suggested to be a phylogenetically degenerate muscle with weak action. Prevalence of agenesis of PL varies between 6–25%. Flexor digitorum superficialis (FDS) is the largest superficial flexor muscle of the forearm. Variations exist in the tendon of FDS to the little finger and this may influence clinical examination in injuries of the hand. The study was conducted in Adichunchanagiri Institute of Medical Sciences. In total 266 medical students (143 females and 123 males) aged between 17–20 years were evaluated in this cross sectional study. The overall prevalence of absence of PL was 27.44% (table 1). Unilateral absence was noted in 16.19% and was more predominant than bilateral absence which was noted in 10.52% of the individuals. None of the subjects showed agenesis of FDS to the little finger. However in 14 (5.2%) function FDS tendon to little finger was dependent on FDS to the ring finger. Even though prevalence of agenesis of PL in Indian population is quite high agenesis of FDS to little finger is a rare phenomenon.