15% OF POPULATION DON’T HAVE THIS TENDON IN THEIR ARM. HERE’S HOW TO FIND IT.

The palmaris longus is a muscle of forearm that spans from your elbow into your inner hand. According to the various anatomy references, the palmaris longus muscle is not present in approximately 10-15% of the population, with a few studies pointing to a greater variance of people that have the muscle and tendon in one arm, but not the other.

The function of this muscle is to cup our hands and to assist flexion of wrist. However, the absence of this muscle does not have an effect on grip strength. In fact, it’s so inconsequential, surgeons often remove it and use it for tendon grafts or cosmetic surgery.

HOW TO FIND PALMARIS LONGUS MUSCLE

The easiest way to feel and distinguish the palmaris longus from the rest of your forearm muscles is by feeling it during contraction. Below are the 2 simple steps for finding this muscle.

Step 1: Extend your hand flat out in front of you, so that your entire wrist is visible.

Step 2: Now press your thumb into your pinky finger and slightly bend your wrist. By doing so, you will recognize a very prominent tendon “popping” out of your wrist. That’s the tendon of your palmaris longus.

HERE’S THE VIDEO EXPLAINING THE TECHNIQUE: