Accessory muscles are relatively common findings in musculoskeletal exams. Most of them are asymptomatic, but occasionally, because of the mass effect, they can cause compressive neuropathies. Accessory muscles also may cause a palpable mass, as an example the accessory soleus muscle in the ankle.

The anconeus epitrochlearis muscle is usually asymptomatic, but may be the cause of ulnar neuropathy in some patients.