Tibioastragalus anticus of Gruber muscle

Last revised by Joachim Feger on 28 Dec 2021

The tibioastragalus anticus of Gruber (TAAG) muscle or anterior tibiotalus muscle is a rare accessory muscle of the ankle and an anatomical variant.

The tibioastragalus anticus of Gruber originates from the lower third of the tibia and deep to the tibialis anterior tendon and courses posteriorly to the extensor digitorum and extensor hallucis longus tendons at the level of the inferior extensor retinaculum from medial to lateral. It inserts in a fan-like fashion onto the neck of the talus 1,2.

The tibioastragalus anticus of Gruber muscle was first described by the Russian anatomist Wenzel Gruber in 1871 after cadaveric dissection of three cases. The muscle was again described later in 1927 by the American anatomist Henry K Seelaus 2-5.

The tibioastragalus anticus of Gruber muscle might be mistaken for a pathological condition or might potentially serve as a harvest site for a tendon graft 1,2.

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