Morphometric Study of Fibularis Brevis and Fibularis Digiti Quinti Muscles Insertion Patterns

The fibularis brevis and fibularis digiti quinti muscles are of clinical significance during reconstructive surgery and treatment of fractures of the metatarsal bone. The aim of this study was to determine the morphological characteristics of these muscles and the location of their respective insertion areas. Thirty specimens from Korean cadavers were used in this study (mean age: 72.00±12.01 years). All specimens were classified into one of three types according to their morphology at the insertion site; Type 1 (single attachment), Type 2 (bifurcated attachment), and Type 3 (presence of fibularis digiti quinti muscle) were observed in 26.67% (8/30), 16.67% (5/30), and 56.67% (17/27) of cases, respectively. The location of the insertion area of the fibularis brevis muscle did not differ significantly and the width of the tendon show statistically significant difference according to the morphology. Fibularis digiti quinti muscle bellies with particularly distal attachments were observed in two specimens (6.67%). An improved understanding of the anatomical characteristics of the fibularis muscles provides insights that may benefit future anthropological study as well as clinical procedures relating to the foot.