An unusual bifid origin of 1st lumbrical muscle of hand: anatomical and clinical perspectives.

Lumbrical muscles are pivotal in execution of fine skillful movements of the hand. Anomalies in their morphology are not uncommon. We report an exceptional bifid origin of first lumbrical muscle of the left upper limb, discovered incidentally in gross anatomy dissection class. The 1st lumbrical was observed to comprise of two heads, the accessory one arising from the tendon of flexor digitorum superficialis of the index finger and the other main belly taking origin as usual from flexor digitorum profundus. The two heads joined to form a common muscle belly and were inserted normally in the dorsal digital expansion. The report highlights the surgical and phylogenetic significance of such variation. Additionally, notification of such muscular variants assumes importance in the event of surgical interventions in this region. Moreover, the anomalous origin, length and volume of the first lumbrical are important parameters for the outcome of operations on the carpal tunnel.