Multiple tendons of abductor pollicis longus

The extensor compartment of the forearm of the human body is one with frequent variations of its contents. Among all, the abductor pollicis longus (APL) muscle is known to exhibit numerous variations. Variations in the number of tendons of APL muscle may be asymptomatic and often incidental finding [1]. The present variation detected in a 63-year-old male cadaver, describes the APL muscle having nine tendons. The presence of accessory tendons may be important in de Quervain’s syndrome [2]. Anatomical knowledge of such variations may be clinically important for surgeons performing reconstructive hand surgeries in the dorsolateral region of the hand. In a wider perspective, variations in the number of tendons of APL may also be important for anthropological correlation and academic studies [1].