STUDY OF ABSENCE OF 4Th TENDON OF FLEXOR DIGITORUM BREVIS MUSCLE

Abstract

Background: Flexor digitorum brevis is an intrinsic muscle of the sole of foot that lies immediately deep to central part of plantar aponeurosis.The flexor digitorum brevis divided into four tendons for lateral four toes. Each tendon is divided into two slips at base of proximal phalanx, to allow the flexor digitorum longus tendons and get inserted on both sides of the shaft of middle phalanx. It helps to reinforce arch of foot by flexing the proximal interphalangeal and metatarsophalangeal joints of the lateral four toes. Flexor digitorum brevis muscular flap is used in the reconstruction of the heel pad and it is frequently used to correct crossover toe deformity so architecture of the foot is important because it may help in the surgical procedures during correction of above deformities.

A Missing Flexor Digitorum Brevis Tendon and Its Relationship to Sex and Ancestry: Evaluation in Hispanic Population

“…Clinical and cadaveric studies reported the incidence of the absence of the FDB's of one of its tendons of 72% [6] and 74% [8], respectively. Nathan and Gloobe reported that in 23% of their cases, a part of muscle and tendon inserting the fifth toe was absent, and in 3% of cases inserting in the fourth and fifth toe was absent [9].…”

“…For instance, studies found that the missing tendon was replaced by an extra muscle originating from the calcaneal tuberosity with connections extending to the tendinous plate of the flexor digitorum longus and the quadratus plantae in a 75-year-old male cadaver [13]. Clinical and cadaveric studies reported the incidence of the absence of the FDB's of one of its tendons of 72% [6] and 74% [8], respectively. Nathan and Gloobe reported that in 23% of their cases, a part of muscle and tendon inserting the fifth toe was absent, and in 3% of cases inserting in the fourth and fifth toe was absent [9].…”

“…This foot surface area distinction may suggest a difference in the underlying anatomy of the foot in males and females, which may extend to the presence or absence of flexor tendons. Retrospective studies reported the absence of one of the tendons of the FDB as a common occurrence [1,6,[8][9][10][11].…”