Variation in the origin of the plantar aponeurosis and its relationship to the origin of the abductor hallucis muscle

The plantar aponeurosis comprises medial, central, and lateral bands, which arise from the calcaneal tuberosity. Descriptions of the origin of the abductor hallucis vary among different textbooks. The central band and abductor hallucis muscles are related to the windlass mechanism. Given the uncertainties regarding the details of the origins of the central band and the abductor hallucis muscle, we examined those origins in 100 feet of 50 cadavers (25 males and 25 females) by dissection. There were three central band patterns, depending on the attachment sites of the origins of the central and lateral bands: Pattern Ia, the central band covers the lateral band completely; Pattern Ib, the central band covers part of the lateral band; Pattern II, the lateral band covers part of the central band. The origin of the abductor hallucis muscle was confirmed. It showed two types of variation: attachment type, originating from the central band; non-attachment type, not originating from the central band. Central band Patterns Ia, Ib, and II were found in 23 feet (17 males, 6 females), 24 feet (25 males, 28 females), and 24 feet (eight males, 16 females), respectively. Pattern Ia predominated in males and Pattern II in females. The attachment and non-attachment types of abductor hallucis muscle were observed in 28 feet (28%) and 72 feet (72%), respectively. The attachment type with Patterns Ia, Ib, and II was shown in 17 feet, 10 feet, and one foot, respectively. Thus, we revealed variation and sex differences in the central band, which could affect foot morphology and the efficacy of the windlass mechanism.