Anatomy and Cell Biology

Korean Association of Anatomists (대한해부학회)
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A bilateral gastrocnemius tertius coexisting with a unilateral two-headed plantaris muscle

  • George Tsakotos (Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens) ;
  • George Triantafyllou (Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens) ;
  • Christos Koutserimpas (Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens) ;
  • Maria Piagkou (Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens)
  • Received : 2024.02.10
  • Accepted : 2024.04.06
  • Published : 2024.09.30
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Abstract

The current cadaveric report aims to present a coexistence of two uncommon variants of the posterior leg compartment. The variations were detected, during classical dissection in an 84-year-old donated male cadaver. On the left lower limb, the gastrocnemius muscle was identified as having a third head that was attached to the lateral head. This variant is known as gastrocnemius tertius muscle and was bilaterally identified. The left-sided plantaris muscle had two distinct heads that fused into a common tendon that was inserted into the calcaneal tuberosity. Knowledge of these variants is important, due to their close relationship with the popliteal neurovascular bundle. Clinicians should be aware, to avoid pitfalls and take them into account in their differential diagnosis.

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Acknowledgement

The authors sincerely thank those who donated their bodies to science so that anatomical research could be performed. Therefore, these donors and their families deserve our highest gratitude.

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