Double plantaris muscle: A cadaveric study with clinical importance

Abstract

The gastrocnemius, plantaris and the soleus muscles, comprise the posterior (flexor) compartment muscles of the leg. The plantaris muscle is responsible for causing plantar flexion of the foot. The muscle is vestigial in human beings and has much clinical importance. The muscle is known to exhibit variations but there are few reports on the existence of double plantaris muscle. The present case report describes double plantaris on both sides of a cadaver, which was detected during routine dissection. Knowledge of both normal and abnormal anatomy of the plantaris muscle is important for surgeons performing tendon transfer operations and clinicians diagnosing muscle tears. © 2007 Sociedad Chilena de Anatomía.