The quadriceps gastrocnemius muscle. 2014

J O Ashaolu, and O A Oni-orisan, and V O Ukwenya, and O A Opabunmi, and M S Ajao
Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Bowen University, Iwo, Osun State, Nigeria, olusco172003@yahoo.com.

The gastrocnemius muscle forms the belly of calf muscles in the posterior compartment of the leg. This paper reports a four-headed gastrocnemius (named quadriceps gastrocnemius) muscle as a new variant and when present can alter the anatomy and/or the boundaries of the popliteal fossa. The four heads are named as medial, intermedio-medial, intermedio-lateral and medial. The newly identified heads, intermedio-medial and intermedio-lateral heads form the inferior boundaries of the popliteal fossa. Clinical conditions like popliteal entrapment syndrome may arise because of distal fossa congestion created by the intermedio-medial and intermedio-lateral heads. This supernumerary heads may also be useful for grafting and they also provide bulkier mass for gastrocnemius proximal attachment. The knowledge of anatomical variants presented is useful to surgeons, prosectors and radiologists.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D007866 Leg The inferior part of the lower extremity between the KNEE and the ANKLE. Legs
D008297 Male Males
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D018482 Muscle, Skeletal A subtype of striated muscle, attached by TENDONS to the SKELETON. Skeletal muscles are innervated and their movement can be consciously controlled. They are also called voluntary muscles. Anterior Tibial Muscle,Gastrocnemius Muscle,Muscle, Voluntary,Plantaris Muscle,Skeletal Muscle,Soleus Muscle,Muscle, Anterior Tibial,Muscle, Gastrocnemius,Muscle, Plantaris,Muscle, Soleus,Muscles, Skeletal,Muscles, Voluntary,Skeletal Muscles,Tibial Muscle, Anterior,Voluntary Muscle,Voluntary Muscles

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