Accessory muscle

The Accessory Muscle is an additional muscle not typically found in the human body but can be present in some individuals. It is often discovered during surgical procedures or autopsies. The presence of an accessory muscle does not necessarily indicate a medical problem, but it can sometimes cause symptoms or complications.

Etymology

The term "accessory" comes from the Latin word "accessorius" which means "additional". In the context of anatomy, it refers to a muscle that is not usually present in the body but can be found in some individuals.

Types of Accessory Muscles

There are several types of accessory muscles that can be found in the human body. These include:

• Accessory Soleus Muscle: This is an extra muscle found in the lower leg. It is present in about 1-5% of the population and can sometimes cause pain or swelling in the ankle.
• Accessory Abductor Digiti Minimi: This is an extra muscle found in the hand. It is present in about 7% of the population and can sometimes cause symptoms such as numbness or tingling in the fingers.
• Accessory Flexor Pollicis Longus: This is an extra muscle found in the forearm. It is present in about 2% of the population and can sometimes cause symptoms such as pain or weakness in the thumb.

Clinical Significance

While accessory muscles are typically asymptomatic, they can sometimes cause symptoms or complications. For example, an accessory muscle in the leg can cause pain or swelling, while an accessory muscle in the hand can cause numbness or tingling. In some cases, surgical removal of the accessory muscle may be necessary.

See Also

• Anatomical Variation
• Muscular System
• Human Anatomy