An anatomical study of additional radial wrist extensors including a unique extensor carpi radialis accessorius.
Folia Morphol (Warsz) 2017;
76:742-747. [PMID:
28553852 DOI:
10.5603/fm.a2017.0047]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2017] [Revised: 04/30/2017] [Accepted: 05/08/2017] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND
In this study, 82 forearms from 41 cadavers were dissected to establish the incidence of variant additional radial wrist extensors. Three variants have been described in the literature: extensor carpi radialis intermedius (ECRI), extensor carpi radialis accessorius (ECRA) and extensor carpi radialis tertius (ECRT).
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Of the 41 cadavers studied, 5/41 (12%) had an additional radial wrist extensor. Of these 5 individuals, 2 had bilateral additional muscles and 3 were unilateral. Of the 82 forearms, 7/82 (9%) had additional radial wrist extensors.
RESULTS
We found 4 examples of ECRI and 3 examples of ECRA. We did not find any examples of ECRT. One specimen of ECRA had an atypical, previously undescribed, course.
CONCLUSIONS
These accessory muscles are of clinical relevance, as they may be a contributing factor in tennis elbow and nerve entrapment, or cause diagnostic confusion, especially in ultrasound scans. However, they may also be used for tendon transfer. Of the 7 muscles found in the current study, 3 would have been suitable for such procedures.
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