The frequency of and relationship between the palmaris longus and plantaris tendons

A study of 186 cadavers found that 156 cadavers (83.9%) had both palmaris and both plantaris tendons. The palmaris was absent in 22 cadavers (12%); 12 cadavers (6%) were missing the plantaris tendon. If the tendon was missing from one side, there was a 67% chance that the contralateral tendon would also be missing. In all instances where both a palmaris and a plantaris tendon were absent (2.2%), the tendons were missing bilaterally. Fourteen cadavers (7.5%) missing bilateral palmaris tendons still had bilateral plantaris tendons, and 2 cadavers (1%) had no plantaris but had both palmaris tendons. Of the cadavers that had plantaris tendons, 11% had tendons that were 2 mm or less in width and of questionable value for grafting purposes. No correlation was noted between the size of the plantaris tendon and the size of the individual or the size of the palmaris tendon.