The flexor indicis profundus - its morphology and clinical significance

The knowledge on the anatomical variations of the deep flexor muscles is important due to its evolutionary significance. The flexor digitorum profundus is the deep flexor muscle of the forearm. It is a composite muscle with a dual nerve supply. The medial half of muscle is supplied by the ulnar nerve, and lateral half of the muscle is supplied by the anterior interosseous nerve, a branch of the median nerve. It flexes the distal phalanges of the medial four digits. In the present case, we observed the presence of extensive cleavage of belly and tendon of flexor digitorum profundus to form flexor indicis profundus on the right side in an adult male cadaver. Flexor indicis profundus muscle is an example of progressive type of variation and it is usually asymptomatic, but it may cause compression of the anterior interosseous nerve, which can lead to compression neuropathy. If it is enlarged, it may simulate a ganglion.