Tensor fasciae suralis muscle

Changed by Yuranga Weerakkody, 24 Jan 2017

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The tensor fasciae suralis muscle is an uncommon accessory muscle in the popliteal region. A tensor fasciae suralis is located superficially in the popliteal fossa, between the semitendinosus and semimembranosus muscles medially and the biceps femoris muscle laterally. It can be an unusual cause of a popliteal soft-tissue swelling or mass.

Radiographic features

A tensor fasciae suralis can be usually identified with ultrasound or MRI, which delineate an accessory muscle in the popliteal fossa, lateral to the semitendinosus tendon and posterior to the semimembranosus.

Summary

origin: it may arise from the distal aspect of any of the hamstring muscles, in the majority of reported cases it originates from the distal semitendinosus muscle.
insertion: may insert into the posterior fascia of the leg, into the medial head of the gastrocnemius, or via a long thin tendon onto the superficial aspect of the Achilles tendon
innervation: the tibial nerve.

Differential diagnosis

A muscle similar in location but arising from the semimembranosus has also been described (accessory semimembranosus)

History and etymology

According to some reports it is thought to have been first described by R A Bergman et.al in 1873³.

~~-origin: it may arise from the distal aspect of any of the hamstring muscles, in the majority of reported cases it originates from the distal semitendinosus muscle. </li>~~
+origin: it may arise from the distal aspect of any of the hamstring muscles, in the majority of reported cases it originates from the distal semitendinosus muscle.</li>
~~-innervation: the tibial nerve.</li>~~
-</ul><h4>Differential diagnosis</h4>A muscle similar in location but arising from the semimembranosus has also been described (<a title="accessory semimembranosus" href="/articles/accessory-semimembranosus">accessory semimembranosus</a>)
+innervation: the tibial nerve</li>
+</ul><h4>Differential diagnosis</h4>A muscle similar in location but arising from the semimembranosus has also been described (<a href="/articles/accessory-semimembranosus">accessory semimembranosus</a>)<h4>History and etymology</h4>According to some reports it is thought to have been first described by R A Bergman et.al in 18733.

References changed:

1. Sookur PA, Naraghi AM, Bleakney RR, Jalan R, Chan O, White LM. Accessory muscles: anatomy, symptoms, and radiologic evaluation. Radiographics : a review publication of the Radiological Society of North America, Inc. 28 (2): 481-99. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1148/rg.282075064">doi:10.1148/rg.282075064</a> - <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18349452">Pubmed</a>
2. Barry D, Bothroyd JS. Tensor Fasciae Suralis. Journal of anatomy. 58 (Pt 4): 382-3. <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17104034">Pubmed</a>
3. Chason DP, Schultz SM, Fleckenstein JL. Tensor fasciae suralis: depiction on MR images. AJR. American journal of roentgenology. 165 (5): 1220-1. <a href="https://doi.org/10.2214/ajr.165.5.7572507">doi:10.2214/ajr.165.5.7572507</a> - <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/7572507">Pubmed</a>
4. Montet X, Sandoz A, Mauget D, Martinoli C, Bianchi S. Sonographic and MRI appearance of tensor fasciae suralis muscle, an uncommon cause of popliteal swelling. Skeletal radiology. 31 (9): 536-8. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1007/s00256-002-0496-x">doi:10.1007/s00256-002-0496-x</a> - <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12195508">Pubmed</a>

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