Anatomical insights of the palmaris brevis muscle for clinical procedures of the hand

Abstract

The purpose of the present study is to provide useful data for anatomists and clinicians by describing the topography of the palmaris brevis muscle, taking particular note of its morphology and distribution pattern of the nerve and artery. Forty-nine hands from Korean adult cadavers were used in this study. Parameters with respect to the size, scale, and location of the muscle were measured using a ultrasonography system, digital caliper, and surgical microscope. Histologic sections were obtained to clarify the positional relationship with surrounding tissues. The branches of the ulnar nerve and artery, which supply the muscle, were observed. The minimum and maximum depths in which the palmaris brevis muscle can be existed, including the thickness of the skin (1.9 mm), were 3.7 and 6.9 mm, respectively. It was inserted into the hypothenar fascia and the dermis. The main trunk of the ulnar nerve and artery were positioned under the lateral side of the muscle. The richest arborization of perforating branches of the ulnar nerve and artery was mostly confined to the distal section of the lateral side of the muscle. Our findings provide theoretical evidence of the palmaris brevis muscle for clinical procedures of the hand, such as botulinum toxin injection. Clinicians should pay attention not to injure the ulnar artery under the lateral side of the muscle. Botulinum toxin should be injected at a depth of between approximately 2 and 7 mm, considering the range of depth of the muscle. Clin. Anat. 30:397-403, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Structural and functional anatomy of the palmaris brevis: grasping for answers

“…For resting PB M T and M L , the ultrasound‐determined values (Table ) are in agreement with measurements from embalmed (M T : 1–3 mm; Przystasz, ) and fresh (mean M L : 2.1 cm; Kim et al. ) cadaveric specimens. Although a reliability study assessing the inter‐ and intra‐rater reliability of the ultrasound‐derived PB measurements was not performed, the results were comparable to those data obtained from cadavers (Przystasz, ; Kim et al.…”

“…Although a reliability study assessing the inter‐ and intra‐rater reliability of the ultrasound‐derived PB measurements was not performed, the results were comparable to those data obtained from cadavers (Przystasz, ; Kim et al. ). An inter‐ and intra‐rater reliability study of the PB validated against magnetic resonance images from the same participants might be useful for future studies.…”

Ultrasound of the Ulnar Nerve: A Pictorial Review

“…The superficial branch(es) has/have a straight course and can be located just distally, over the tip of the hamatum (Figure 12C), at which point, the proper digital nerve travels to the ulnar side of the fifth finger, whereas the common digital nerve can be located in the fourth webspace (Figure 10). 43 The palmaris brevis is a small, variable muscle, and the only one supplied by the SBUN 51 …”

“…43 The palmaris brevis is a small, variable muscle, and the only one supplied by the SBUN. 51 The DBUN diverges within the canal (Figure 12B), deep and ulnarly, to pass near the medial border of the hamatum and underneath to the fibrous arcade of the hypothenar muscles, together with the deep branches of the UA, which usually split from the UA distal with respect to the DBUN origin (Figure 12C). 43 The DBUN along its course provides branches to the intrinsic muscle of the hand (see Figure 10); usually, the first is to the abductor digiti minimi and this small branch can be demonstrated in some patients with high-frequency transducers (Figure 13).…”

Palmaris Brevis Syndrome: A Treatable Pseudodystonia

“…The palmaris brevis is a thin quadrilateral muscle located over the hypothenar eminence and ulnar canal [1]. The palmaris brevis originates from the palmar aponeurosis and transverse carpal ligament and attaches to the deep dermis along the ulnar side of the palm and, occasionally, the pisiform bone [2]. The palmaris brevis is the only muscle innervated by motor fibers of the superficial ulnar nerve.…”