Inferior extensor retinaculum of the human ankle; its medial and lateral attachments and arrangement of structures deep to it

ABSTRACT

The attachments and arrangement of the inferior extensor retinaculum were studied through surface anatomy and radiological examinations for ten adult healthy persons in addition to dissection of its region in fourteen human lower limbs, obtained from anatomy department, Zagazig university. The results were correlated together and analyzed. It was shown that the retinaculum was Y shaped. Its stem was attached to the antero-superior aspect of the calcaneus. while its two limbs extended medially. The upper limb was attached to the medial malleolus, while the lower one was attached to the medial cuneiform in addition to its continuation with the plantar aponeurosis. The long muscle tendons in front of the ankle were found to split the retinaculum into superficial and deep layers, except that of tibialis anterior that passed superficial to the main fibers of the retinaculum. The neuro-vascular bundle [represented by the anterior tibial vessels and nerve] was found to pass in a special compartment deep to the retinaculum; lying at a deeper level than that of the surrounding tendons. This compartment was roofed by the retinaculum while its floor was formed by the fascia overlying the talus. The relations between the present morphological findings and the previous results were discussed and also correlated with some clinical conditions