Variant insertion of the fibularis tertius muscle is an evidence of the progressive evolutionary adaptation for the bipedal gait

Abstract

Fibularis tertius (FT) is often considered as part of extensor digitorum longus (EDL) muscle. The muscle is absent in hominoid apes and with the acquisition of the bipedal gait; the muscle emerged as a recent addition in the human foot. From its various modes of insertions, it is evident that the muscles of the sole are in search of its distal attachment, which can best support the relatively weak human midfoot. We describe an unusual insertion of the muscle in support of this hypothesis.

Keywords

• foot anomaly
• musculotendinous variation
• fibularis tertius
• anomalous leg muscle.