Topographical relations between the Gantzer's muscle and neurovascular structures

Area of Science:

• Anatomy
• Human Anatomy
• Forearm Anatomy

Background:

• Gantzer's muscle (GM) is an anatomical variation in the forearm.
• It can arise as an accessory head of the flexor pollicis longus or flexor digitorum profundus.
• Understanding its topography is crucial for surgical and clinical contexts.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the anatomical location (topography) of Gantzer's muscle.
• To define the relationship between Gantzer's muscle and surrounding neurovascular structures.
• To investigate potential clinical implications of this anatomical variation.

Main Methods:

• Anatomical dissection and analysis of 73 upper limbs.
• Confirmation of Gantzer's muscle presence and measurement of its insertion point.
• Assessment of the topographical relationship with median nerve and ulnar artery branching points.

Main Results:

• Gantzer's muscle was present in 47.95% of the studied upper limbs.
• The ulnar artery's branching point was located more distally in limbs with Gantzer's muscle (p=0.031).
• A significant positive correlation was found between the arterial bifurcation point and Gantzer's muscle length (r=0.407, p=0.015).

Conclusions:

• Gantzer's muscle exhibits a topographical relationship with arterial structures in the forearm.
• This relationship may be linked to embryological development.
• Further research is warranted to explore the clinical significance of this anatomical finding.