Evaluation of the Variations at the Origin and Insertion of Extensor Digitorum Longus: Clinical Correlation and Literature Review

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the morphology of the extensor Digitorum longus muscle, to record the variations encountered amongst observations, correlating them with the available standard text book literature and previous research studies and to analyse the anatomical basis of possible clinical or applied entities related to variations.

This study was undertaken in 60 lower limbs in 30 adult cadavers in which extensor Digitorum longus muscle was dissected in each limb. The variations encountered were recorded and analysed. The commonest pattern prevalent in the region was found out.

The muscle was constant in its mode of origin in 58 (96.67 %) cases. Variations were observed in 2 (3.33 %) limbs only. Out of them, one (1.67 %) case showed that this muscle was giving a slip to Peroneus tertius in leg, though this type of variation was not reported in available literature. In one (1.67 %) limb, combined muscular belly of extensor Digitorum longus muscle and Peroneus tertius was found, but their tendons were separate. The insertion of this muscle was in unison with standard textbook pattern in 58 (96.67 %) limbs.

Knowledge of the muscle, which may show individual variations, may have useful clinical applications in cases of leg or foot trauma requiring tendoplasty or tendon transfer operations.