Pectorobrachioepicondylaris musculoaponeurotic band: case description with evidence of median nerve compression

Abstract

Upper limb muscle variations can be encountered on imaging or at surgery. We report an unusual muscle and band found during routine dissection of the arm in a cadaver. This case is described and salient literature reviewed. A band was found that traveled from the insertion of the pectoralis major tendon distally and obliquely toward the medial intermuscular septum and medical epicondyle. Fibers of the brachialis were found to interdigitate into the band. A tunnel was formed that carried the median nerve and brachial vessels. Evidence of median nerve compression was observed. We considered this an example of a pectorobrachioepicondylaris muscle. However, some can lead to clinical presentations. Although the significance of the case reported herein is not certain, signs of median nerve compression were identified. We believe that the term pectorobrachioepicondylaris bests describes the muscle reported herein and that our case represents a previously unreported variant of this muscle