Anatomy Atlases: Illustrated Encyclopedia of Human Anatomic Variation: Opus I: Muscular System: Alphabetical Listing of Muscles: F: Flexor Carpi Ulnaris

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Illustrated Encyclopedia of Human Anatomic Variation: Opus I: Muscular System: Alphabetical Listing of Muscles: F

Flexor Carpi Ulnaris

Ronald A. Bergman, PhD
Adel K. Afifi, MD, MS
Ryosuke Miyauchi, MD
Peer Review Status: Internally Peer Reviewed

In one case, the anterior fibers of this muscle formed an accessory muscle that joined the main belly below the middle of the forearm; it was supplied not by the ulnar but rather by the median nerve. Because its two heads are completely independent and usually supplied by the ulnar nerve, it has been suggested that the muscle is formed developmentally of two elements that fuse. It may however, remain doubled and not fuse. An additional slip of origin from the medial side of the coronoid process is often present. Partial insertion into the flexor retinaculum has been recorded and its attachment to the fifth metacarpal may extend to the fourth or even the third metacarpal bone by the radial expansion of a pisimetacarpal band of fibers. Extension of the fibers to the capsule of the fifth metacarpophalangeal joint has been observed. The occurrence of a slip connecting the tendon with the abductor of the little finger has also been reported.

Variations of flexor carpi ulnaris, reported by Macalister, follow:

1. With an origin from the triceps (Jenty);

2. With a slip to the fourth metacarpal bone (Wood and Macalister);

3. Having a slip to the annular ligament, without or with a coexisting palmaris longus; the latter form was seen by Harrison and Macalister and the former was seen by Winslow and also by Macalister;

4.In a case of Koster, flexor carpi ulnaris was inserted into the interosseus membrane;

5. Friedlowaky described a muscle that sent a slip into the annular ligament, and the palmaris longus was suppressed.

The epitrochleoanconeus (epitrochleoolecranonis or anconeus sextus [Gruber]) is a rare, small muscle closely associated with flexor carpi ulnaris. It arises from the posterior surface of the medial epicondyle of the humerus and is inserted onto the olecranon process. It is superficial to the ulnar nerve, from which it receives its innervation, and takes the place of a fibrous arch of deep fascia, usually found in the same location. The muscle may compromise the function of the ulnar nerve. The muscle has been reported present in about 25% of bodies. It is consistently found in amphibians, reptiles, and some primates.

Syn.: m. Ulnaris Internus, Ellenbogenbeuger der Hand, Innerer Ellenbogenbeuger, Innerer Ellenbogenmuskel, Cubital Anterieur (Cruveilhier).

Epitrochleoanconeus
Redrawn and modified from an illustration in Toldt, C.
In "An Atlas of Human Anatomy for Students and Physicians".

Doubled Flexor Carpi Ulnaris.
from Calori.

References

Calori, L. (1868) Delle anomalie più importanti di ossa, vasi, nervi, e muscoli occorse nell'ultimo biennio fascendo anatomia del corpo umano. Mem. R. Accad. Sci. Istituto di Bologna S. 2. 8:417-482.

Curnow, J. (1873) Notes of some irregularities in muscles and nerves. J. Anat. Physiol. 7:304-309.

Galton, J.C. (1875) On the epitrochleo-anconeus or anconeus sextus (Gruber). J. Anat. Physiol. 9:169-175.

Gruber, W. (1881) Ein musculus ulnaris brevis beim Menschen. Arch. Path. Anat. Physiol. Klin. Med. 86:15-19.

Hirasawa, Y., Sawamura, H., and K. Sakakida. (1979) Entrapment neuropathy due to bilateral epitrochleoanconeus muscles. A case report. J. Hand Surg. 4:181-184.

Jansen, J.H. (1850) Waarnemingen van anomale spieren. Nederlandsch Lancet 1850:431-437.

Macalister, A. (1875) Additional observations on muscular anomalies in human anatomy (third series), with a catalogue of the principal muscular variations hitherto published. Trans. Roy. Irish Acad. Sci. 25:1-134.

Reid, R.W. and S. Taylor. (1879) Anatomical variations. Reports. St. Thomas's Hospital 9:47.

Toldt, C. (1928) An Atlas of Human Anatomy for Students and Physicians, 2nd ed. Vol. 1. The Macmillian Co., New York.

Wood, J. (1866) Variations in human myology observed during the winter session of 1865-66 at King's College, London. Proc. Roy. Soc. Lond. B 15:229-244.

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