An accessory slip of the extensor digitorum longus to the great toe with associated osseous variations: a case report

Accessory tendons of the extensor hallucis longus are well documented, whereas an extension of the extensor digitorum longus (EDL) to the great toe has only been briefly mentioned in Sarrafian's textbook, without detailed cadaveric documentation.

During routine dissection of a 78-year-old Korean male cadaver, the extensor and fibularis muscles of both lower limbs were examined. On both sides, an accessory tendinous slip of the EDL coursed medially to the great toe. The right accessory tendon arose from the posterior midportion of the EDL tendon above the talus, while the left originated from the dorsal fascia over the proximal part of the first metatarsal. Each accessory tendon inserted into the extensor apparatus of the great toe and corresponded to a notch on the medial-distal surface of the first metatarsal.

This case provides the first detailed cadaveric documentation of this variation in which an accessory tendon of the EDL extending to the great toe. The finding broadens the understanding of known EDL variations and provides a useful reference for anatomical description.