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Open Access 01-03-2018 | Original Article

Anatomical variations of the pronator teres muscle in a Central European population and its clinical significance

Authors: Łukasz Olewnik, Michał Podgórski, Michał Polguj, Grzegorz Wysiadecki, Mirosław Topol

Published in: Anatomical Science International | Issue 2/2018

Abstract

The pronator teres (PT) muscle is a forearm flexor with radial and ulnar heads. It is innervated by the median nerve (MN), which passes between these heads. Nerve entrapment, known as “PT syndrome”, may occur in this passage. Anatomical variations in this region may be potential risk factors of this pathology. Therefore, the aim of the study was to determine the relationship between morphologic variations of the PT and the MN. In 50 isolated, formalin-fixed upper limbs, the cubital region and the forearm were dissected. The following measurements were taken: origin of the PT muscle heads, the length of these heads, the length of the forearm, diameter of the MN and the number of its muscular branches to the pronator teres muscle. The forearms with the humeral head originating from the medial humeral epicondyle and medial intermuscular septum (72%) were significantly shorter (p = 0.0088) than those where the humeral head originated only from the medial humeral epicondyle. Moreover, in these specimens, the MN was significantly thinner (p = 0.003). The ulnar head was present in 43 limbs (86%). The MN passed between the heads of the PT muscle (74%) or under the muscle (26%). In the majority of cases, it provided two motor branches (66%). There is an association between the morphologic variation of the PT muscle heads and the course and branching pattern of the MN. Both are related to differences in forearm length. This may have an impact on the risk of PT syndrome and the performance of MN electrostimulation.

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Title: Anatomical variations of the pronator teres muscle in a Central European population and its clinical significance
Authors: Łukasz Olewnik
Michał Podgórski
Michał Polguj
Grzegorz Wysiadecki
Mirosław Topol
Publication date: 01-03-2018
Publisher: Springer Singapore
Published in: Anatomical Science International / Issue 2/2018
Print ISSN: 1447-6959
Electronic ISSN: 1447-073X
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12565-017-0413-y

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Anatomical variations of the pronator teres muscle in a Central European population and its clinical significance

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