Clin Orthop Surg.  2014 Sep;6(3):361-364. 10.4055/cios.2014.6.3.361.

Flexor Carpi Radialis Brevis: An Unusual Anomalous Muscle of the Wrist

Affiliations
  • 1Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, The Catholic University of Korea College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. yoojoon@catholic.ac.kr

Abstract

During imaging studies or surgical procedures, anomalous forearm and wrist muscles are occasionally encountered. Among them, the flexor carpi radialis brevis is very rare. Because the trend is growing toward treating distal radius fractures with volar plating, the flexor carpi radialis brevis is worth knowing. Here, we report two cases with a review of the literature.

Keyword

Flexor carpi radialis brevis; Anomalous muscle

MeSH Terms

Female
Forearm/*abnormalities
Fractures, Comminuted/surgery
Humans
Middle Aged
Muscle, Skeletal/*abnormalities
Radius Fractures/surgery
Ulna Fractures/surgery
Wrist/*abnormalities

Figure

  • Fig. 1 The wrist crease and hand are on the left side of the photograph. The flexor carpi radialis brevis (FCRB) runs between the flexor pollicis longus (FPL) and the brachioradialis. FCR: flexor carpi radialis.

  • Fig. 2 The wrist crease and hand are on the right side of the photograph. The flexor carpi radialis brevis (FCRB) originates from the volo-radial border of the distal one-third of the radius, and runs superficial to the pronator quadratus (PQ). The fracture is marked with a white arrowhead.

  • Fig. 3 Anatomical illustration of the flexor carpi radialis brevis (FCRB). The mid portion of the FCR is cut. The FCRB originates between the origin of the flexor pollicis longus (FPL) and the insertion of the pronator quadratus (PQ). The FCRB runs superficial to the PQ, and enters into the osteofibrous tunnel of the FCR.


Reference

1. Dodds SD. A flexor carpi radialis brevis muscle with an anomalous origin on the distal radius. J Hand Surg Am. 2006; 31(9):1507–1510.
2. Peers SC, Kaplan FT. Flexor carpi radialis brevis muscle presenting as a painful forearm mass: case report. J Hand Surg Am. 2008; 33(10):1878–1881.
3. Carleton A. Flexor carpi radialis brevis vel profundus. J Anat. 1935; 69(Pt 2):292–293.
4. Nakahashi T, Izumi R. Anomalous interconnection between flexor and extensor carpi radialis brevis tendons. Anat Rec. 1987; 218(1):94–97.
5. Spinner M. Injuries to the major branches of peripheral nerves of the forearm. 2nd ed. Philadelphia: W. B. Saunders;1979. p. 192–193.
6. Tountas CP, Bergman RA. Anatomic variations of the upper extremity. New York: Churchill Livingstone;1993. p. 139–140.
7. Kang L, Carter T, Wolfe SW. The flexor carpi radialis brevis muscle: an anomalous flexor of the wrist and hand. A case report. J Hand Surg Am. 2006; 31(9):1511–1513.
8. Chong SJ, Al-Ani S, Pinto C, Peat B. Bilateral flexor carpi radialis brevis and unilateral flexor carpi ulnaris brevis muscle: case report. J Hand Surg Am. 2009; 34(10):1868–1871.
9. Mantovani G, Lino W Jr, Fukushima WY, Cho AB, Aita MA. Anomalous presentation of flexor carpi radialis brevis: a report of six cases. J Hand Surg Eur Vol. 2010; 35(3):234–235.
10. Kosiyatrakul A, Luenam S, Prachaporn S. Symptomatic flexor carpi radialis brevis: case report. J Hand Surg Am. 2010; 35(4):633–635.
Full Text Links
  • CIOS
Actions
Cited
CITED
export Copy
Close
Share
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
Similar articles
Copyright © 2024 by Korean Association of Medical Journal Editors. All rights reserved.     E-mail: koreamed@kamje.or.kr