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A rare anomaly of the extensor digitorum longus
Eisuke Sakuma1, Hiroyuki Kato, Nobuhiko Honda
1Department of Functional Morphology, Nagoya City University, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Nagoya City, Aichi, Japan. esakuma@med.nagoya-cu.ac.jp
Anatomical Science International
|January 7, 2005
Summary
Anatomical variation discovered: the extensor digitorum longus muscle lacked a tendon to the fourth toe in a 73-year-old woman. This rare finding offers new insights into lower limb anatomy.
Area of Science:
- Anatomy
- Morphology
- Human Anatomy
Background:
- The extensor digitorum longus muscle is crucial for foot dorsiflexion and toe extension.
- Variations in the extensor digitorum longus muscle are documented but rare.
- Understanding anatomical variations is vital for clinical practice and surgical procedures.
Observation:
- A unique absence of the tendon to the fourth toe of the extensor digitorum longus muscle was observed.
- This anomaly was identified during an educational dissection of a 73-year-old Japanese female cadaver.
- Detailed gross anatomical findings and morphometric measurements were recorded.
Findings:
- The tendon to the fourth toe of the extensor digitorum longus muscle was solely absent.
- This specific anatomical variation has not been previously reported in existing medical literature.
- The morphology of this anomaly was analyzed in the context of known variations of the extensor digitorum longus.
Implications:
- This case highlights the importance of recognizing rare anatomical variations in the lower limb.
- Such anomalies may have implications for biomechanics and surgical approaches to the foot and ankle.
- Further documentation of such variations can enhance anatomical knowledge and improve diagnostic accuracy.