Incidence of accessory head of flexor pollicis longus (Gantzer’s) muscle

Abstract               Background: The additional head of the flexor pollicis longus muscle is also known as the Gantzer’s muscle. The present study was designed to evaluate the Accessory Head of the Flexor Pollicis Longus muscle and its incidence in south Indian population. Materials and Methods: 40 number adult upper limbs were used to study the additional heads of Flexor Pollicis Longus muscle. Results: Present study found 4 cases of additional heads of Flexor Pollicis Longus muscle in unilaterally out of 40 limbs. The incidence of the Gantzer muscle was recorded as 10% and Double Gantzer muscle bellies were also found in one limb out of 40 upper limbs and incidence was 2.5%. Conclusion: An accessory muscle bellies are the reasons for neuropathies of different types.

Key Word: Flexor pollicis longus, Additional Head of Flexor pollicis longus), Gantzers muscles, Anterior interosseous nerve, Median nerve