A 19-year-old construction worker sustains a superficial laceration of the anterior wrist just proximal to the thenar and hypothenar eminences. Sensation is intact. Which of these tendons has most likely been severed?
Extensor carpi ulnaris
Flexor digitorum profundus
Flexor digitorum superficialis
Flexor pollicis longus
Palmaris longus
Correct answer
Palmaris longus
explanation
The most superficial of the above tendons is the palmaris longus (E). The extensor carpi ulnaris (A) is not on the anterior wrist. The flexor digitorum profundus (B), flexor digitorum superficialis ©, and flexor pollicis longus (D) tendons are all in the carpal tunnel, and are thus covered by the flexor retinaculum, whereas the palmaris longus is not