RT Journal Article
T1 Relationship of the fabella with the origins of the plantaris and gastrocnemius lateral head muscles in late-term fetuses: a histological study
A1 Jin, Zhe-Wu
A1 Kim, Ji Hyun
A1 Suzuki, Daisuke
A1 Sugai, Namiko
A1 Murakami, Gen
A1 Abe, Hiroshi
A1 Rodríguez Vázquez, José Francisco
AB Previous studies of midterm fetuses indicated that a cartilaginous fabella appeared to be embedded in the plantaris (PL), and was fused with the gastrocnemius lateral head (GL). We re-examined the topographical anatomy of the fabella or its analogue (a tight fibrous mass) originating in the GL and/or PL by evaluating histological sections of the unilateral knees of 15 late-term fetuses. Regardless of whether the cartilaginous fabella was present (6 fetuses) or absent (9 fetuses), the origins of the PL and GL muscles each had three parts. In each fetus, the fabella or its analogue was embedded in a thick common tendinous origin of the GL and PL. PL1 (whose origin is similar to that of the adult PL) originated from the femoral condyle immediately above the common tendon; PL2 originated from the posteromedial aspect of the fabella or its analogue; and PL3 originated from the inferior aspect of the fabella or its analogue. The muscle fibers of PL1, PL2, and PL3 joined to provide a thick plantaris. GL1 (which is adjacent to PL2) originated from the common tendon in the superior side of the fabella or its analogue and GL2 originated from the inferior side of the fabella or its analogue. GL1 and GL2 joined to provide a thick bundle, whereas GL3 (located far below the fabella or its analogue) originated from the posterior surface aponeurosis. Therefore, drastic reconstruction at these muscle origins was necessary during development. Due to the strong mechanical stress from the GL and the space-occupying effect of the muscle, we hypothesize that PL2 and PL3 are degraded or absorbed into the GL1 and GL2 during the postnatal period, so that the remaining PL1 was likely the remaining PL in adults.
PB Korean Association of Anatomists
SN 2093-3665
YR 2021
FD 2021-06-30
LK https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14352/109239
UL https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14352/109239
LA eng
NO Jin ZW, Kim JH, Suzuki D, Sugai N, Murakami G, Abe H, Vázquez JFR.  Relationship of the fabella with the origins of the plantaris and gastrocnemius lateral head muscles in late-term fetuses: a histological study.  Anat Cell Biol 2021;54:270-279.   https://doi.org/10.5115/acb.20.326
DS Docta Complutense
RD 17 abr 2025