Superior Extensor Retinaculum of Ankle
Retinaculum extensorium superius tali
Read moreStructure
The superior extensor retinaculum of the ankle is a thickened continuation of the crural fascia that extends over the anterior aspect of the leg. The retinaculum extends between the tibia and fibula, proximal to the ankle joint.
Anatomical Relations
The tendons of the extensor digitorum longus, extensor hallucis longus, tibialis anterior, and fibularis tertius muscles, as well as the anterior tibial vessels and deep fibular nerve pass deep to the extensor retinaculum. The superficial fibular nerve passes superficial to the superior extensor retinaculum.
Function
The superior extensor retinaculum of the ankle holds the extensor tendons in place before they pass over the ankle joint, thus preventing them from bowstringing anteriorly during dorsiflexion of the ankle joint (Moore, Dalley and Agur, 2013).
List of Clinical Correlates
—Extensor retinaculum syndrome
References
Moore, K. L., Dalley, A. F. and Agur, A. M. R. (2013) Clinically Oriented Anatomy. Clinically Oriented Anatomy 7th edn.: Wolters Kluwer Health/Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
