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Palmaris longus

Contents

Anatomy

 

Palmaris longus - anterior view

 

Palmaris longus - medial view

General information

  • This section is strictly limited to anatomy, you might be looking for clinical relevant information which is found under the clinical chapters -- muscles section, click here to go to that page

Position

  • Superficial

Origin

  • Medial epicondyle humerus
  • Fascia antebrachii

Insertion

  • Palmaris aponeurosis
  • Flexor retinaculum

Main function

  • Wrist
    • Flexion

Secondary function

  • Elbow
    • Flexion
    • Pronation

Nerve innervation

  • Segmental
    • C7-C8
  • Peripheral
    • Median nerve

Arterial supply

  • Ulnar artery

Palpation

  • Patient position
    • Sitting or supine
  • Place your hand on the palmar side of the patient's wrist
  • Ask the patient to press the tips of the thumb and little finger towards each other
  • Ask the patient to hold this position while they flex the wrist
  • Place some fingers under the thumb and little finger to give resistance towards the patients palm
  • It is easier to seperate between the palmaris longus and flexor digitorum superficialis as long as the fingers are extended

Strength test

  • Patient position
    • Sitting
  • Ask the patient to place their hand on the bench for support with the lower arm supinated
  • Ask the patient to make a cavity in their palm while he/she is flexing the wrist
  • Give pressure towards the wrist in direction of extension so that the patient is giving force towards flexion