Abstract

VARIATIONS IN PLANTARIS MUSCLE MORPHOLOGY AND THEIR CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: A CASE REPORT

Saroj Kaler*, Mahender Kumar Sharma, Shyoram Sharma, Navneet Dadhich and Amit Gehlot

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Abstract

Purpose:- Plantaris is considered a vestigial muscle in humans with a small belly and long thin tendons. It is known to present several anatomical variations in terms of its occurrence, origin, course, relation with surrounding neurovascular structures, and insertion. It may be absent unilaterally or bilaterally. On rare occasion, its double occurrence has been reported also. Usually, the origin of this inconspicuous muscle begins at the lateral supracondylar line of the femur and the knee joint capsule. It continues distally, forming a long and slender tendon. In most cases, it inserts onto the calcaneal tuberosity on the medial side of the Achilles tendon. However, many morphological variations have been discovered during anatomical dissections. Methods:- This study was carried out in the Department of Rachana Sharir, Postgraduate Institute of Ayurveda, Dr Sarvapalli Radhakrishn Rajasthan Ayurveda University, Jodhpur by Professor Mahendra Kumar Sharma and Dr. Shyoram Sharma in August 2022 to September 2023, on a total of 7 cadavers. The dissection of the thigh, knee, crural, and talocrural region was performed using standard techniques according to a strictly specified protocol. Results:- Four different insertion points were observed. The first band (A) was inserted near to the tarsal canal flexor retinaculum. The second band (B) bifurcates into two branches—B1 and B2. B1 is located on the medial side and B2 is located on the lateral side of the calcaneal tuberosity. The third band (C) is inserted into the superior nonarticular calcaneal surface of the calcaneus anteriorly to the Achilles tendon. Conclusion:- Considering the above discussion, though minor differences have been observed between the present study and earlier reports related to plantaris, prior knowledge about such possible variation will definitely supplement the understanding of muscular variation of the posterior crural region.

Keywords: Achilles tendon, Anatomy, Evolution, Plantaris muscle, Plantaris tendon.