The clinical anatomy of commonly injured muscle bellies of the upper extremities in Thais.

Cadaver specimens of commonly injured muscle bellies of the upper extremities were examined for the presence, location and extent of the origin and insertion. These muscles were the pectoralis major, biceps brachii (long head), triceps brachii (long head), brachioradialis, extensor carpi radialis longus, extensor carpi radialis brevis, extensor digitorum, flexor carpi radialis and flexor digitorum superficialis. Some tendons were found to lay superficially on the surface of fleshy fibres and some tendons extended deeply into the muscle. Most of the muscle bellies contained tendinous extensions that appeared as flattened fibrous bands. This study provideds anatomical information as to the approximated location and extent of these tendons to permit optimal surgical repair.