Aponeurosis plantaris--ontogenic development
Dylevský, I.
Sbornik Lekarsky 93(1-2): 6-10
1991
ISSN/ISBN: 0036-5327 PMID: 2047746 Document Number: 387461
The plantar aponeurosis begins to differentiate from two separate blastemas in the subcutaneous area of the planta in embryos 20-25 mm long. The basis of the lateral (fibular) strip is in 30 mm long embryos still larger than the blastema of the medial (tibial) strip. In embryos longer than 40 mm first the ratio of sizes of the two strips becomes equal and gradually there develops a predominance of the medial (tibial) tract. Both originally isolated bases of the plantar aponeurosis fuse gradually in 30-40 mm long embryos. 2. In the course of early development the bases of the aponeurosis are distinctly separated from the base of the m. flexor digitorum brevis. The aponeurosis becomes close to the basis of the flexor only in embryos longer than 45 mm. 3. The insertion of the plantar muscle is not related to the plantar aponeurosis during ontogenetic development. The development of the two formations is quite independent and the tendon of the m. plantaris becomes adjacent to the tendon of the m. triceps surae. 4. In the course of development we found three typical sites of insertions of the main-medial-strip of the plantar aponeurosis: a) primary insertion of the transverse fascia of the aponeurosis and the major part of the longitudinal strips leads to the vaginae fibrosae of the flexor tendons; b) the splitting longitudinal strips which lead to the plantar and lateral surface of the capsules of the metatarsophalangeal joints; c) rare longitudinal fascia of the aponeurosis end in the subcutaneous area on the plantar side of the toes. The tractus lateralis (fibularis) joins the fascia covering the muscles of the little toe.