The palmaris brevis is the most superficial intrinsic hand muscle, attaching the palmar aponeurosis to the overlying skin. It is the only hand muscle innervated by the superficial ulnar nerve branch.
| Origin | Medial palmar aponeurosis and flexor retinaculum — ulnar border |
|---|---|
| Insertion | Skin of the hypothenar eminence — dermis |
| Nerve Supply | Superficial branch of the ulnar nerve (C8, T1) |
| Blood Supply | Ulnar artery |
| Actions | Wrinkles the hypothenar skin — deepening the palmar hollow; May protect the ulnar neurovascular bundle by tensing the skin over Guyon's canal |
|---|
The palmaris brevis is the first structure divided in Guyon's canal decompression. Its superficial ulnar branch innervation means it is preserved in deep ulnar nerve lesions (affecting intrinsics) but lost in lesions at or proximal to the canal. Its contraction is visible as hypothenar skin wrinkling during "cupping" the hand.
Visible as wrinkled hypothenar skin during palm cupping.
Preserved palmaris brevis function (and superficial sensory branch) in deep ulnar nerve (zone II Guyon's) palsy distinguishing from proximal ulnar nerve lesions.
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