Peroneus Quartus with Variant Insertions: A Case Report

Abstract

Variations in the musculature of the lateral compartment of the leg are not uncommon but are of importance to clinicians and radiologists in diagnosis or imaging interpretations. During routine dissection classes for undergraduate students this rare variation was encountered. A small additional muscle belly (peroneus quartus) was found arising along with peroneus brevis from the upper lateral surface of the fibula with little contribution from the peroneus longus. The rounded tendon after passing through the superior peroneal retinaculum was mainly inserted on to the lateral side of the base of the fifth metatarsal along with the peroneus brevis. Further, it also provided small fibrous extensions to the shaft of the fifth metatarsal bone and a large extension to the base of the 4th metatarsal bone. Awareness of such variations in the insertion pattern of this muscle is of importance to the surgeons undertaking reconstructive procedures. [Cukurova Med J 2014; 39(4.000): 889-893]

Keywords

• Peroneus quarters
• peroneus longus
• peroneus brevis
• metatarsals