Brief communication: the popliteal sesamoid bone (cyamella) in primates

A study of 246 adult nonhuman primates belonging to 34 genera indicates that a popliteal sesamoid bone is always present in the tendon of the popliteus muscle in Prosimii and Callitrichidae. The bone occurs only variably in Atelidae and Pongo, and is usually absent in Gorilla. The bone is absent, or very rare, in Cebus, Cercopithecidae, Hylobatidae, Pan, and humans. When the bone is present, it articulates with the posterior part of the articular surface of the lateral condyle of the tibia, and lies very close to the head of the fibula, at the angulated part of the popliteal tendon, near the tendomuscular junction. The presence of the popliteal sesamoid bone in primates is a primitive character.