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. CASE DETAILS: 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. CONCLUSION: 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.
SUMMARY:Arterial variations of distal parts of lower limb are well documented. However, continuation of fibular artery as dorsalis pedis artery is a rare finding. Unusual course and distribution of the anterior tibial artery and fibular artery were observed during routine anatomical dissection of the right lower limb of an approximately 40-year-old male cadaver. The arteries of the crural region arose from the popliteal artery, as usual. However the anterior tibial artery was hypoplastic. The fibular artery was larger than usual and crossed the lowest portion of the interosseous membrane and continued as dorsalis pedis artery. Posterior tibial artery had a normal course and distally divided into medial and lateral plantar arteries. The awareness of these variations is important to vascular surgeons while performing arterial reconstructions in femorodistal bypass graft procedures, and also to orthopaedic surgeons during surgical clubfoot release.
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