Common Tendon Sheath of Fibularis Muscles
Vagina communis tendinum musculorum fibularium
Read moreStructure
Several tendons originating from muscles in the leg traverse the ankle to enter the foot. They pass beneath retinacula which holds the tendons in place, preventing subluxation. These tendons are covered by modified bursae, called tendon sheaths, which minimize friction with the surrounding structures. The sheaths, composed of both fibrous and synovial layers, wrap around the tendons, ensuring that the tendons can glide over adjacent structures and allow for minimal friction during movement.
Related parts of the anatomy
Anatomical Relations
The common tendon sheath of the fibular muscles covers the tendons of both the fibularis longus and fibularis brevis muscles as they travel deep to both the superior and inferior fibular retinaculae, along the posterolateral aspect of the ankle. As it passes deep to the inferior fibular retinaculum, some fibers from the inferior fibular retinaculum attach to the fibular trochlea of the calcaneus, thus separating the common tendon sheath in two. The fibularis longus tendon passes inferior to the fibular trochlea, while the fibularis brevis passes superior.
Function
The common tendon sheath ensures that the tendons of the fibularis longus and brevis muscles can glide over adjacent structures and allow for minimal friction during movement. Additionally, the tendon sheath produces synovial fluid, ensuring that the tendons are well lubricated.
