The plantaris muscle – Anatomical curiosity or a structure with important clinical value? – A comprehensive review of the current literature

Gonera, Bartosz; Kurtys, Konrad; Paulsen, Friedrich; Polguj, Michał; LaPrade, Robert F.; Grzelecki, Dariusz; Karauda, Piotr; Olewnik, Łukasz

doi:10.1016/j.aanat.2021.151681

Cited by 8 publications

(14 citation statements)

References 71 publications

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“…For example, it is generally observed in the Cercopithecidae family, being present in 54.3% of chimpanzees and 3.7% of orangutans (Loth, 1908). In humans, the prevalence of the plantaris was found to be 97.3% among the specimens examined at the Anatomical laboratory of Kobe University between 2018 and 2020, and this prevalence is similar to the results from many previous studies (Daseler & Anson, 1943; Gonera et al, 2021; Moss, 1988; Straus Jr, 1949). The prevalence of this muscle in humans is conspicuously higher than in other species of Hominoidea despite its tendency for size reduction.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 88%

“…Additionally, the plantaris muscle could more frequently appear in humans, despite its tendency for size reduction, given its close relationship with the developing anterior part of the soleus. Alternatively, some researchers believe that the high prevalence of human plantaris may be due to proprioception, which is important for joint movement (Peck et al, 1984; Vlaic et al, 2019), because the human plantaris has a higher density of muscle spindles compared with the soleus and gastrocnemius (Gonera et al, 2021; Peck et al, 1984). This finding would suggest that the human plantaris is not simply a reduction in size but instead could be specialized in sensory functions.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Considering that the plantaris muscle is occasionally absent in humans (Gonera et al, 2021), specimens without plantaris were included in our investigation. From the 112 human legs examined in the Anatomical laboratory of Kobe University between 2018 and 2020, the plantaris was absent in three specimens (2.7%).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Comparison of the soleus and plantaris muscles in humans and other primates: Macroscopic neuromuscular anatomy and evolutionary significance

Sakuraya

Sekiya

Emura

et al. 2022

The Anatomical Record

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In humans, the soleus is more developed compared to other primates and has a unique architecture composed of anterior bipennate and posterior unipennate parts, which are innervated by different nerve branches. The anterior part of the human soleus was proposed to be important for bipedalism, however, the phylogenetic process resulting in its acquisition remains unclear.Providing insights into this process, the anterior part of the soleus was suggested to be closely related to the plantaris based on the branching pattern of their nerve fascicles. To reveal the phylogeny of the soleus and plantaris in primates, the innervation patterns of the posterior crural muscles were compared among a wide range of species. From their branching pattern, posterior crural muscles could be classified into superficial and deep muscle groups. The anterior part of the soleus and plantaris both belonged to the deep muscle group. In all the examined specimens of ring-tailed lemurs and chimpanzees, as well as in one out of two specimens of siamang, the nerve branches corresponding to those innervating the anterior part of the human soleus were found. The muscular branches innervating the anterior part of the soleus and plantaris formed a common trunk or were connected in all the specimens.These results indicate that the anterior part of the soleus is closely related to the plantaris across different species of primates. In turn, this suggests that the anterior part of the soleus is maintained among primates, and especially in humans, where it develops as the characteristic bipennate structure.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 88%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Comparison of the soleus and plantaris muscles in humans and other primates: Macroscopic neuromuscular anatomy and evolutionary significance

Sakuraya

Sekiya

Emura

et al. 2022

The Anatomical Record

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“…Our proposed Type IIa of LM is directly attached to the ACL (Figures 3 and 4); it may be difficult to differentiate the margins of the two ligaments due to their similar histological morphology. As was noted previously, seemingly irrelevant structures may lead to serious health issues and should not be ignored (Gonera et al, 2021).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 92%

The ligamentum mucosum: A new classification

et al. 2022

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The ligamentum mucosum (LM) is a ligamentous structure within the synovial layer of the knee joint capsule. For a long time LM was perceived as the vestigial remnant from the embryological development of the knee. However, last years have shown increased interest in this structure due to its potentially significant clinical role. Fiftyone, 12 females (mean age 83.1 ± 3.4 years) and 39 males (mean age 84.2 ± 6.8 years) fixed in 10% formalin were examined. Upon dissection, the following morphological features of the LM were assessed: the types of LM, morphometric measurement and histological analysis of each type. The LM was present in 66.7% of all examined specimens. Three different types were recognized: Type I (55.9%)-single band with attachment to the intercondylar notch, Type IIa-bifurcated ligament with attachment to the anterior cruciate ligament, Type IIb-bifurcated ligament with both attachments to the intercondylar notch, Type III-double ligament with two independent bands and attachments to the intercondylar notch and to the knee joint capsule.The LM is variable and probably evolutionary changes are the reason. In our study we propose the new clinically useful classification supported by its anatomical and histological characteristics. Type IIa seems to be the most important from the clinical point of view, as it may be responsible for clinical issues and should be paid attention while diagnosing patients suffering from anterior cruciate ligament torn or anterior knee pain.

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“…With this case, we explore an accessory plantaris muscle with an unusually degenerated and fatty infiltrated head likely initiated by inflammation or changes to vascularisation. We continue to gain a more extensive understanding of the plantaris muscle variabilities that will without a doubt be useful for surgeons and clinicians as they harvest variable plantaris muscles and diagnose plantaris rupture (Gonera et al, 2021;Olewnik et al, 2017;Srimani et al, 2014).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Variant plantaris muscle with degenerated accessory head: Gross and histological analysis

Futa

Olewnik

Konschake

et al. 2023

Anat Histol Embryol

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The variant plantaris muscle has itself been reported to have variable presentations. Here, we report an unusual finding of the plantaris muscle and report its gross and histological findings. A duplicated head of the plantaris muscle was identified in the right leg of an adult cadaver age and sex. The more anterior head of the muscle was in the typical location and originated from the superolateral condyle of the femur. However, the more posteriorly located head arose from the iliotibial band at the level of the distal thigh. The two heads united and continued as the typical distal tendon of the plantaris muscle to insert into the calcaneus tendon (Achilles). The normally positioned head of the plantaris muscle was found to be composed of typical skeletal muscle fibres. However, the accessory head of the plantaris muscle was found to be severely degenerated and infiltrated with adipose tissue. We report a duplicated head of the plantaris muscle. Histologically, the accessory head was degenerated and infiltrated with adipose tissue. To our knowledge, this is the first report of such a case. Further cases are now necessary to further elucidate this finding.

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The plantaris muscle – Anatomical curiosity or a structure with important clinical value? – A comprehensive review of the current literature

Cited by 8 publications

References 71 publications

Comparison of the soleus and plantaris muscles in humans and other primates: Macroscopic neuromuscular anatomy and evolutionary significance

Comparison of the soleus and plantaris muscles in humans and other primates: Macroscopic neuromuscular anatomy and evolutionary significance

The ligamentum mucosum: A new classification

Variant plantaris muscle with degenerated accessory head: Gross and histological analysis

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