A three-headed plantaris muscle fused with Kaplan fibres: potential clinical significance
Abstract
The plantaris is a short, small muscle that usually originates at the popliteal surface of the femur and has a long, thin tendon that typically inserts into the calcaneal tuberosity. Its role and degree of development have been objects of debate for years. Some authors consider it a vestigial muscle while others believe it is a process of its development. The clinical significance of plantaris muscle is usually related to its morphological variation, which is common and well described in the literature. These variations are often a risk factor for many ailments and disorders. We would like to present another, very rare case of three-headed plantaris muscle (fused with distal Kaplan fibres), and consider what clinical implications it may have.
Keywords: plantaris musclerudimentary muscledevelopment muscleKaplan fibresknee stabilitythree headed plantaris
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