An Anatomical Study Of The Musculus Flexor Digitorum Brevis

Abstract

Background: The present study documents valuable new data on the anatomical variations of the musculus flexor digitorum brevis in an adult Colombian population, this muscle and in particular its fourth slip, has a significant clinical and surgical importance. The fourth slip is undergoing a phylogenetic degeneration. The purpose of this study is to conduct an evidenced on the prevalence of the musculus flexor digitorum brevis and its variants in humans. Methods and Findings: A total of 17 cadavers with different age groups were used for this study, 34 feet of 15 male and 2 females embalmed adults cadavers in the laboratory of Morphology of the University of Pamplona. All feet (n= 34) were studied serially during the years 2013-2016. Of the 34 feet examined, in 32 (94.12%) the muscle conformed to the classical descriptions given in anatomical textbooks showed 4 bellies. In the remaining 2 feet (5.88%) the muscle divided into three parts which ended in slender tendons to the second, third and fourth toes. Conclusions: The knowledge of the anatomical variations in relation to the demographic characteristics of patients would be of importance for diagnostic imaging and foot surgery.