Tensor of vastus intermedius is a newly discovered muscle located between vastus lateralis and vastus intermedius. The purpose of this study was to investigate the detailed morphology of tensor of vastus intermedius, specifically to provide data pertaining to the attachments, innervations, variation in the types and its morphometry in South Indian population. The tensor of vastus intermedius was studied in thirty six cadaveric lower limbs using macrodissection techniques. The origin of the muscle was from upper part of intertrochanteric line and anterior part of greater trochanter of femur inserted to medial aspect of upper border of patella. The muscle was classified into four types based on the origin and also the aponeurosis course with independent type (type 1) being common. The mean and standard deviation of the length of tensor of vastus intermedius and aponeurosis were 145.40±37.55 mm and 193.55±42.32 mm, respectively. The results of the study suggest that tensor of vastus intermedius is variable and the information provided regarding the attachments, types and quantitative data will contribute to the existing knowledge of the muscle.

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This study was aimed to evaluate the anatomical variations and morphometry of long extrinsic tendons of the thumb namely, extensor pollicis longus and extensor pollicis brevis. Fiftyfive upper limbs of formalin embalmed adult cadavers were dissected. The variation in muscle belly, tendon, its course within dorsal wrist compartment and mode of insertion were noted. The extensor pollicis longus was duplicated in 5.5%. Around 25% tendons were fused with extensor pollicis brevis and through the extensor hood insert into the base of the distal phalanx. The extensor pollicis brevis was absent in 2% and tendon was also duplicated in 2%. In case of absent extensor pollicis brevis tendon, one of the slips from the abductor pollicis longus insert into base of the proximal phalanx instead of the extensor pollicis brevis. The extensor pollicis brevis tendon showed various modes of insertion. The overall length of the extensor pollicis longus and extensor pollicis brevis were 121 mm and 90 mm respectively. The thickness of the extensor pollicis longus at the proximal, middle and distal level of insertion were 1.25 mm, 0.76 mm and 0.55 mm respectively, whereas for the extensor pollicis brevis it was 1mm, 0.75 mm and 0.53 mm. The results obtained from this study may be helpful for the hand surgeons in the management of extensor tendon injuries of the thumb, its reconstructive procedures and in differential diagnosis of dorsal wrist pain.

Pulleys are thickened regions in flexor tendons sheaths of the digits. They are essential and act as fulcrum for the flexion and extension of the digits. The arrangement and number of pulley system differs greatly between the thumb and other digits. There is paucity of literature regarding the pulley system of thumb. We aimed to study the morphometry of the pulley system of the thumb in Indian cadavers. Dissection was carried out in 55 adult human cadaveric thumbs. The most common morphologic pattern of pulley observed in the thumb is type III (30 thumbs). The least observed is type I (4 thumbs). The mean width and standard deviation of A1, Av, oblique, and A2 pulleys are 5.06±0.87, 5.38±1.22, 4.68±1.13, and 6.04±1.41 mm, respectively. The gap distances between the pulleys were also measured. The results obtained from the present study may be helpful in surgical treatment of trigger thumb with less complication and also in reconstruction of the closed rupture of the pulley of the thumb.