Variations of the long extensor tendon to the thumb are very rare.
Materials and Methods
We present three cases in which there was a supernumerary long extensor tendon to the thumb. In all three cases, the supernumerary tendon emerged from the fourth dorsal compartment and had a parallel course to the extensor pollicis longus.
Results
Details of the anomalies are described along with a meta-analysis of relevant literature. A classification system of these anomalies is also proposed.
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