Plantaris muscle

Plantaris muscle is a thin muscle in the posterior compartment of the leg, often absent in humans. It is considered an unimportant muscle and mainly acts with the gastrocnemius.

Etymology

The term "plantaris" comes from the Latin word "planta", which means "sole". This is because the muscle was believed to play a role in flexing the sole of the foot.

Anatomy

The plantaris muscle originates from the lower part of the femur, and it inserts into the Achilles tendon. It is innervated by the tibial nerve, a branch of the sciatic nerve. The muscle is approximately 5-10 cm long and is one of the shortest muscles in the human body.

Function

The plantaris muscle is thought to be involved in proprioception, the body's sense of position and movement. It also assists in flexion of the knee and plantarflexion of the foot.

Clinical significance

Due to its small size and redundancy, the plantaris muscle is often harvested for use in reconstructive surgery. It is also the muscle most commonly ruptured during sports activities. A rupture of the plantaris muscle can be mistaken for a Achilles tendon rupture due to the similar symptoms.

Related terms

• Gastrocnemius
• Achilles tendon
• Tibial nerve
• Sciatic nerve
• Proprioception

See also

• List of muscles of the human body

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