Fibularis Tertius Muscle: Cadaveric Study in Indians

Abstract

Background: Fibularis tertius is a small, unipennate muscle of the anterior compartment of the leg which is peculiar to human. It is highly variable muscle. It acts as a dorsiflexor and evertor of the foot. Fibularis tertius muscle flap is used for transposition and correcting any laxity in the ankle joint by foot surgeons. Distal attachment of it might play important role in causation of torsional stresses as observed in Jones fractures. Aims: It was aimed to study the incidence of fibularis tertius muscle and to observe variations in its proximal and distal attachments in Indian population. Material and Methods: We studied 100 (right: 50; left: 50) cadaveric lower limbs to observe the presence or absence of fibularis tertius muscle and variations in its proximal and distal attachments. Results: Fibularis tertius was absent in 13%. We observed variations in th th distal attachment of it. It was attached to 4 or 5 metatarsal or both. In some cases we observed bifurcated tendon and duplication of tendon of this muscle. Conclusion: Variations of fibularis tertius muscle are more frequent and its distal attachments are not absolutely at a fixed position therefore a precise and detailed knowledge of this muscle is important for foot surgeons and anatomists.

Keywords

• Dissection
• Extensordigitorumlongus
• Fibularistertius
• Variations