This Article
Right arrow Full Text (PDF)
Right arrow Letters to the Editor: Submit a response
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me when Letters to the Editor are posted
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Services
Right arrow E-mail this article to a friend
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Add to My File Cabinet
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Right arrowReprints and Permissions
Citing Articles
Right arrow Citing Articles via Google Scholar
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by SHREWSBURY, M. M.
Right arrow Articles by OUSTERHOUT, D. K.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow Articles by SHREWSBURY, M. M.
Right arrow Articles by OUSTERHOUT, D. K.
Social Bookmarking
Add to CiteULike   Add to Connotea   Add to Del.icio.us   Add to Technorati  
What's this?
Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery, 1972;54:344-348.
© 1972 by The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery, Inc

The Palmaris Brevis-A Reconsideration of Its Anatomy and Possible Function

M. M. SHREWSBURY PH.D.1, R. K. JOHNSON M.D.1, and D. K. OUSTERHOUT M.D.1

1 From the Department of Anatomy, San Jose State College, San Jose, and the Department of Surgery, Stanford University, Palo Alto

1. An amplified description of the anatomy of the palmaris brevis muscle based on dissections of ten cadaver hands is reported. Specific details regarding its shape, attachments, its bipartite structure with separate innervation to each part, and presence of tendons are noted.

2. Structural boundaries of the pisohamate tunnel (loge of Guyon) are described, based on these dissections.

3. The function of the palmaris brevis is believed to be to protect the ulnar nerve and artery from overlying pressure. Contraction of the muscle appears to prevent displacement of the hypothenar pad by the pressure produced by gripping hard objects. As a result this pad of soft tissue is maintained over the ulnar neurovascular bundle and the risk of trauma to the nerve and artery from prolonged pressure is minimized.

4. In view of this possible function, we believe that in the surgical approach to this region the integrity of the palmaris brevis should be preserved.


Add to CiteULike CiteULike   Add to Connotea Connotea   Add to Del.icio.us Del.icio.us   Add to Technorati Technorati    What's this?