A three-headed plantaris muscle fused with Kaplan fibers: potential clinical significance

Abstract

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A three-headed plantaris muscle with a bipartite insertion of its two accessory heads

“…The three-headed PM is a very uncommon variant (only two reports), while the identi ed bipartite insertion has not been reported. Olewnik et al [12] and Maslanka et al [9] reports concerning the three-headed PM concluded a common tendon of the variant muscle, while in the current case, the two accessory heads had a bipartite insertion (lateral and medial attachments) via a short and distinct tendon into the calcaneal tendon and via a musculoaponeurotic expansion into the MFC.…”

“…In this case, all head tendons created a common tendon [12]. Maslanka et al [9] identi ed a slightly different three-headed PM that fused into a common tendon, with a 1st head originating from the LFC and fused with Kaplan bers (another variant consisting of connections between the iliotibial band and the distal femur). The other two heads originated from the knee joint capsule and the LFC [9].…”

“…Maslanka et al [9] identi ed a slightly different three-headed PM that fused into a common tendon, with a 1st head originating from the LFC and fused with Kaplan bers (another variant consisting of connections between the iliotibial band and the distal femur). The other two heads originated from the knee joint capsule and the LFC [9]. The three-headed PM is a very uncommon variant (only two reports), while the identi ed bipartite insertion has not been reported.…”

“…A bilateral lower limb dissection for education and research purposes under a pre-established protocol [9] was performed on an 84-year-old male cadaver, derived from a body donation at the Department of Anatomical Dissection and Donation of the Medical University of Lodz. Skin and subcutaneous fat from the popliteal fossa and posterior leg compartment were dissected to expose the related muscles and neurovascular bundle.…”

Never undescribed four — headed plantaris muscle

“…The second one was originated from distal Kaplan fiber. In turn, the third and fourth heads were proximally attached to the lateral femoral epicondyle [9] . Knowledge about morphological variations is necessary because of their potential clinical significance.…”