Morphometric Study of Flexors of Forearm- Cadaveric Study

Introduction: A thorough understanding of the muscles of the forearm serves as the foundation for effective surgical intervention, such as repair of tendon, tendon transfer, and tendon graft. Aim: To study the morphology and morphometry of the flexors of the forearm. Materials and Methods: The cadaveric forearms were dissected, and each muscle tendon was identified till the proximal margin of the flexor retinaculum. Any variations and presence of accessory muscles were looked for. Detailed analysis was done, and photographs were taken. The morphometric measurements, such as the total length of the forearm from the medial epicondyle to the proximal margin of the flexor retinaculum (A), and the length of the tendon from the proximal end of the flexor retinaculum (B), were measured. The length of the individual muscle was calculated by the difference between the total length of forearm and the length of the tendon (A-B) Result: The study was done on 51 specimens of cadavers of the forearm. The mean length of the forearm (A) was 27.33cm, the mean length of the flexor carpi radialis tendon and muscle was 15.79 cm and 11.54 cms, the mean length of the flexor digitorum superficialis tendon and muscle was 10.75 cms and 16.58cms, the mean length of the palmaris longus tendon and muscle was 14.86 cm and 9.45 cm, mean length of the flexor carpi ulnaris tendon and muscle was 8.70 cm and 18.63 cm, the mean length of the flexor profundus tendon and muscle was 14.44 cm and 12.90, and the mean length of the flexor pollicis longus tendon and muscle was 14.05 cm and 13.28 respectively. Conclusion: The morphometry of muscles of forearm has an important role in tendon graft and reconstructive surgeries. It also helps to outline the muscle belly for botulinum toxin as a therapy in paralysed patients.