The correct spelling of the term "musculus palmaris brevis" is essential to accurately describe the anatomy of the hand. The first word, "musculus," refers to a muscle, while "palmaris" indicates its location on the palm side of the hand. "Brevis" means short in Latin, referring to the muscle's small size. The IPA phonetic transcription of this term is /ˈmʌskjʊləs pælˈmærɪs ˈbrɛvɪs/. Proper spelling and pronunciation of anatomical terms are crucial in maintaining clarity and precision in biomedical communication.
Musculus palmaris brevis is a Latin term that translates to "short palmar muscle". It is a small, intrinsic muscle located in the palm of the hand. The muscle arises from the flexor retinaculum, a fibrous band that stretches across the inside of the wrist, and extends towards the base of the fingers.
The musculus palmaris brevis is responsible for various movements and functions of the hand. It primarily functions to assist in the flexion of the hand at the wrist joint. When contracted, the muscle pulls the skin and underlying tissues of the palm medially, which can create a wrinkling effect. It also aids in stabilizing the palm during gripping or grasping actions.
This muscle is innervated by the superficial branch of the ulnar nerve, which carries signals from the spinal cord to the muscles. Blood supply to the musculus palmaris brevis is provided by small vessels branching from the superficial and deep palmar arches.
The musculus palmaris brevis varies in size and presence among individuals. It is estimated that around 80-90% of the population has this muscle, while the remaining percentage either lacks it or has a significantly reduced size. The absence or variations in the musculus palmaris brevis do not typically cause any functional impairment.
Origin, ulnar side of central portion of the palmar aponeurosis; insertion, skin of ulnar side of hand; nerve supply, ulnar; action, wrinkles skin on inner side of hand.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.