The peroneocalcaneus internus muscle, also known as fibulocalcaneus internus muscle of MacAlister, is a rare accessory muscle of the ankle and an anatomical variant with an estimated prevalence of about 1%. It is often bilateral if present.
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Summary
- origin: the medial surface of the distal lower third of the fibula below the flexor hallucis longus muscle origin
- insertion: small tubercle at the undersurface of sustentaculum tali at the medial aspect of the calcaneus
Gross anatomy
The peroneocalcaneus internus muscle takes its course beneath and parallel to the flexor hallucis longus muscle and medial to the peroneus brevis muscle from the lower third of the fibula to the medial surface of the calcaneus inferior to the sustentaculum tali deep to the flexor retinaculum 1-4. There might be some muscle fiber interdigitation with the flexor hallucis longus muscle belly fibers in the proximal portion 2.
Radiographic features
MRI
Above the tibiotalar joint, the peroneocalcaneus internus muscle can be seen just posterolateral to the flexor hallucis longus musculotendinous unit. At the level of the posterior talar groove, it can be seen lateral and below the sustentaculum tali, it can be seen inferolateral to the flexor hallucis longus tendon before it inserts into a small tubercle on the undersurface of the sustentaculum 2,3.
History and etymology
The peroneocalcaneus internus muscle was originally discovered by the German anatomist Johann Friedrich Meckel in 1815 and then further described by the Irish anatomist Alexander MacAlister (1844–1919) in 1872 4-7.
Clinical importance
The peroneocalcaneus internus muscle displaces the flexor hallucis longus muscle anteromedially and might have the following clinical implications 2,3:
- might be mistaken for a pathological condition
- a potential altered approach during ankle arthroscopy with the danger of neurovascular damage
Related pathology
The following clinical conditions might have a relation to a peroneocalcaneus internus muscle 1,2:
- tarsal tunnel syndrome
- posterior ankle impingement
- flexor hallucis longus tenosynovitis