Study of absence of palmaris longus muscle in south indian population

The palmaris longus (PL) is one of the most variable muscle reported up to 90% of humans. The characteristic of this muscle is shown by its short belly and long tendon. The belly soon gives way to a long slender tendon of variable length that inserts adherent across the front of the flexor retinaculum to the palmar aponeurosis. This study is done by using 200 upper limbs of 100 cadavers. The overall prevalence of absence was 16% (16 subjects). In the development of the forelimb as a prehensile organ, its function has been taken over by the intrinsic muscles of the hand and the PL has become degenerate. It should therefore necessary to investigate the prevalence of PL in other Asian ethnic groups and perhaps by socio-economic strata in such populations.