Exploration of Tibialis Anterior in North Indian Cadavers in Relations to Frequency, Morphology, Morphometry and Its Clinical Importance

Address for Correspondence: Dr Poonam Verma, Associate Professor, Department of Anatomy, Sri Guru Ram Das Institute of Medical Sciences and Research, Vallah, Amritsar, Punjab, India. Ph. No.: +918283816579 E-Mail: [email protected] Introduction: The tibialis anterior is an important muscle because of its function and its use in tendon transfer as a treatment of recurrent congenital clubfoot and paralytic equinovarus foot deformities in cerebral palsy and arthroscopy. Morphology of the tibialis anterior muscle is important for its implications in minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis of tibial fractures. The insertion of the tendon of the tibialis anterior muscle may be related to pathologic changes of the foot and in particular, hallux valgus. Morphologic data should enable evaluation of such a relationship and perhaps offer a basis for improved therapy. Aim: Our study is aimed to evaluate frequency, morphology, morphometry and use of Tibialis Anterior as tendon transfer in lower limb injuries. Materials and Methods: Sixty lower limbs from formalin preserved cadavers (28 male and 2 female) were dissected and evaluated for the following parameters: origin of muscle, distal insertion, nerve supply, frequency, morphology, morphometry and any variation concerning this muscle. Results: This muscle was detected in all the cases (60 limbs) with normal origin and insertion. Mean value of muscle belly length was 29 cm and width was 2.65 cm. The mean length of the distal tendon with no muscle fibers up to insertion was 12 cm, and the mean width was 1.1 cm. Conclusions: Tibialis Anterior muscle is frequent and has a distinct morphology, making it a feasible option for use as a tendon graft. Knowledge of these variations may have useful clinical applications in cases of leg or foot trauma requiring tendoplasty or tendon transfer operations.