Accomplishments

Study of variant heads of triceps muscle with its developmental basis


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Category
Articles
Publisher
Ijapbs
Publishing Date
01-Jun-2013
volume
2
Issue
2
Pages
23-26

Materials & Methods: The study on variant heads of triceps muscle was performed on 100 (200 specimens of superior extremities) embalmed donated cadavers (90 males & 10 females) in the department of Anatomy of K.J.Somaiya Medical College, Sion, Mumbai, India. The dissection of the arm and forearm was done meticulously to expose the triceps muscle. The variant heads of triceps muscle was observed. The neuro vascular pattern of the upper limb were also observed. The photographs of the variant heads of triceps muscle were taken for proper documentation. Observations: Out of 200 specimens of superior extremities the variant heads of triceps muscle were observed in 4 specimens. In all the 4 specimens, the fourth head of the triceps brachii muscle was originated from the posteromedial aspect of the shaft of the humerus just below the surgical neck. The variant fourth head of the triceps brachii muscle was supplied by the radial nerve. The fourth head passed directly over the neurovascular bundle containing the radial nerve and profunda brachii artery. The long, lateral and fourth heads of the triceps brachii muscle converged to form a superficial tendon which was inserted into the posterior part of the superior surface of the olecranon process of the ulna. The medial head of triceps muscle was partly inserted into the superficial tendon and partly into the posterior part of the superior surface of the olecranon process of the ulna. The associated altered natomy of the nerves and vessels were not observed. All the variations were unilateral. Conclusion: The role of additional muscles in compression syndrome is a well known phenomenon. The knowledge of such type of variation is clinically important for Anatomists, Neurologists, Radiologists, Surgeons, Plastic surgeons and Orthopedicians.