Accessory flexor digitorum longus muscle
Last revised by Dr Maulik S Patel on 27 Feb 2022
Citation, DOI & article data
Citation:
Melville, P., Patel, M. Accessory flexor digitorum longus muscle. Reference article, Radiopaedia.org. (accessed on 29 Sep 2022) https://doi.org/10.53347/rID-63968
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rID:
63968
Article created:
28 Oct 2018 by Dr Phillip Melville
Revisions:
6 times by 3 users - see full revision history
System:
Section:
Synonyms:
- Flexor digitorum accessorius longus muscles
- Flexor digitorum accessorius longus muscle
The accessory flexor digitorum longus muscle is an accessory muscle in the deep posterior compartment of the leg with a reported prevalence of 6-8%. Unilateral muscles are more common although bilateral cases have been reported.
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Summary
- origin: variable; either the medial margin of the tibia and deep posterior compartment fascia; or the fibula 1,3
- insertion: variable; either the quadratus plantae muscle, tendon of flexor digitorum longus muscle or both 1,3
Gross anatomy
The accessory flexor digitorum longus muscle arises from the medial margin of the tibia and the deep posterior compartment fascia or from the fibula. Its insertion may occur into the quadratus plantae muscle, tendon of flexor digitorum longus muscle or both.
Related pathology
- accessory flexor digitorum longus muscle may compress the neurovascular bundle within the tarsal tunnel and cause tarsal tunnel syndrome 1,3
- accessory flexor digitorum longus muscle has also been reported to contribute to the development of flexor hallucis longus muscle tenosynovitis 4
References
- 1. Peterson DA, Stinson W, Lairmore JR. The long accessory flexor muscle: an anatomical study. (1995) Foot & ankle international. 16 (10): 637-40. doi:10.1177/107110079501601010 - Pubmed
- 2. Cheung YY, Rosenberg ZS, Colon E, Jahss M. MR imaging of flexor digitorum accessorius longus. (1999) Skeletal radiology. 28 (3): 130-7. Pubmed
- 3. Gümüşalan Y & Kalaycioğlu A. Bilateral Accessory Flexor Digitorum Longus Muscle in Man. Annals of Anatomy - Anatomischer Anzeiger. 2000;182(6):573-6. doi:10.1016/s0940-9602(00)80107-7
- 4. Eberle CF, Moran B, Gleason T. The accessory flexor digitorum longus as a cause of Flexor Hallucis Syndrome. (2002) Foot & ankle international. 23 (1): 51-5. doi:10.1177/107110070202300110 - Pubmed
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