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Updated: Dec 3, 2025
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Published on: January 17, 2019
Musculus peroneus longus in foetal period
A Karykowska1, Z A Domagała2, B Gworys3
1Department of Anthropology, Wroclaw University of Environmental and Life Sciences, Wroclaw, Poland.
Background:
The lateral compartment of the leg, due to its distal and concurrent superficial positioning, is a multiple trauma site. Detailed knowledge of compartimentum lateralis cruris (CLC) structure is crucial for physicians. Musculus peroneus longus (MPL) is located within the structures of the CLC most superficially. There is a lot of data on the morphology of the MPL but there is no publication analysing in detail its anatomy in the foetal period. The aim of the study was to determine the variability of metric and morphological parameters of MPL in a studied period of prenatal ontogenesis.
Materials And Methods:
The analysis included 207 human foetuses (101 males and 106 females) at calendar age from 113 to 222 days. The analysed material comes from the local anatomy collection. Foetuses were stored in typical preservation solutions. Access to the muscle was obtained on the basis of standard preparation techniques. The authors evaluated the metric parameters of the muscle showing the presence of variable dynamics of metric increments of the examined muscle in particular age classes.
Results:
In the studied period of prenatal ontogenesis, MPLs of the foetuses increased by about 60% in the length and width dimension and by about 100% in the thickness dimension. The topography of the initial and final muscle attachment was also evaluated. Statistically significant dimorphic differences were found in some aspects of muscle attachment topography.
Conclusions:
The analysis of the place of the origin and insertion of MPL showed a relatively large variety of these features.
Insights
The fetal development of the lateral leg compartment muscle, musculus peroneus longus (MPL), shows significant growth in size and variable attachment points. This study details MPL anatomical changes during prenatal development.
Area of Science:
- Anatomy
- Embryology
- Human Morphology
Background:
- The lateral compartment of the leg is a common trauma site, necessitating detailed anatomical knowledge.
- The musculus peroneus longus (MPL) is superficially located within this compartment.
- Existing research lacks detailed fetal anatomical analysis of the MPL.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the variability of metric and morphological parameters of the musculus peroneus longus (MPL) during prenatal development.
- To provide detailed anatomical data on MPL during fetal development.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of 207 human fetuses (113-222 days gestation).
- Utilized standard dissection techniques on preserved specimens.
- Evaluated metric parameters and muscle attachment topography.
Main Results:
- MPLs increased by approximately 60% in length/width and 100% in thickness during the studied prenatal period.
- Variability in the origin and insertion topography of the MPL was observed.
- Statistically significant sex-based differences were noted in muscle attachment topography.
Conclusions:
- The origin and insertion sites of the musculus peroneus longus (MPL) exhibit considerable variability during fetal development.
- Understanding this variability is crucial for clinical applications in leg trauma and surgery.
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