Variations of the Fibular Portion of the Human Plantar Aponeurosis

Abstract

As shown in Fig. 1, the fibular portion of the human plantar aponeurosis consists of two components: medial (1) in Fig. 1) and lateral (2) in Fig. 1) bundles. The medial bundle is thin, and the lateral bundle is relatively thick and stout.
Usually the tip of the medial bundle reaches the deep plantar ligament under the fourth metatarso-phalangeal joint. This fiber bundle is, however, variable in its shape and development. The occurrence of this bundle varies from 84 to 100% among several populations (Table 1).
The lateral bundle attaches to the tuberosity of the fifth metatarsal bone, and gives partial origin to the abductor digiti minimi. This stout bundle is found in all feet of Japanese cadavers investigated by the present author.