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@millie_ross23 days ago
Why do some people have a visible palmaris longus tendon?
I’ve noticed that some people have a really prominent tendon in their wrist when they flex their hand, while others don’t seem to have it at all. I think it’s called the palmaris longus. Why is this tendon visible in some people but not others, and does it serve any important function? Is it true that some people are just born without it?
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Replies (3)
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@natalie.p
The palmaris longus is a muscle that’s missing in about 10-20% of people. If you make a fist and flex your wrist, you might see a tendon pop up in the middle of your wrist-that’s it! Totally normal to not have it, though.
23 days ago
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@harper_gray
It’s a leftover from evolution and doesn’t really affect grip strength or function. Surgeons sometimes use it for tendon grafts because you don’t really miss it if it’s removed.
23 days ago
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@lucy_hart
I don’t have one in either wrist, but my brother does. It’s just a genetic variation, and there’s no real advantage or disadvantage to having it or not.
23 days ago