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The plantaris muscle, also known as the monkey muscle, is a small muscle in the back of the leg that can be the cause of calf pain. It is often dismissed as a vestigial muscle, but injuries to this structure can be a source of pain and disability. The plantaris muscle is located between the gastrocnemius and soleus muscles, and its tendon is the longest in the human body. The muscle is considered to have become less important when human ancestors switched from climbing trees to bipedalism. Injuries to the plantaris muscle, such as ruptures and strains, can occur during running, jumping, or other quick foot movements in sports.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location | Between the gastrocnemius and soleus muscles |
| Type of Muscle | Superficial muscle |
| Muscle Belly | Thin |
| Tendon | Longest in the human body, between 30-45 cm in length |
| Muscle Length | 5-10 cm |
| Absence | 8-12% of the population |
| Innervation | Tibial nerve, a branch of the sciatic nerve in the sacral plexus |
| Function | Helps other muscles function well, especially at the knee and ankle |
| Injury | Plantaris muscle rupture, also called "tennis leg" |
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What You'll Learn
- The plantaris muscle is located between the gastrocnemius and soleus muscles
- It is considered an unimportant muscle, becoming less significant when humans switched to bipedalism
- The muscle is often injured during running or jumping, causing a condition called tennis leg
- The plantaris muscle is absent in 8-12% of the population
- It is innervated by the tibial nerve, a branch of the sciatic nerve
The plantaris muscle is located between the gastrocnemius and soleus muscles
The plantaris muscle is a small, thin muscle that extends down the leg between the gastrocnemius and soleus muscles. It is one of the superficial muscles of the superficial posterior compartment of the leg. The plantaris tendon, which tends to be between 30-45 centimetres long, is the longest tendon in the human body. The muscle itself is only around 5-10 centimetres long and is absent in some people. Some people even have a double- or triple-headed plantaris muscle.
The plantaris muscle is often considered a vestigial muscle, meaning it is a leftover muscle from our evolutionary past. When human ancestors switched from climbing trees to bipedalism, the plantaris muscle became less important. In modern humans, the plantaris muscle acts with the gastrocnemius muscle, which is one of the major muscles in the back of the leg. The soleus muscle is the other major muscle in the back of the leg and is located deeper in the leg than the gastrocnemius. Together, these two muscles form the Achilles tendon.
The plantaris muscle is innervated by the tibial nerve, a branch of the sciatic nerve in the sacral plexus. The tibial nerve runs medially at the knee joint. When the tibial nerve receives an action potential, the plantaris muscle contracts, providing weak plantar flexion of the foot and weak flexion of the knee. The plantaris muscle may also provide proprioceptive feedback information to the central nervous system regarding the position of the foot.
Injury to the plantaris muscle is rare in isolation, as it usually occurs in conjunction with injuries to other muscles in the posterior compartment of the lower leg. The most common injury is a plantaris muscle rupture, often called "tennis leg", which can occur during running or jumping. Symptoms of a rupture include an audible popping sound in the area during physical activity, swelling, pain in the back of the lower leg, and persistent soreness. Treatment for a plantaris muscle injury is typically non-surgical and involves rest, ice, compression, and elevation.
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It is considered an unimportant muscle, becoming less significant when humans switched to bipedalism
The plantaris muscle, also known as the "monkey muscle", is a small, thin muscle in the human leg. It is one of the superficial muscles of the superficial posterior compartment of the leg. The plantaris tendon, which tends to be between 30-45 centimetres long, is the longest tendon in the human body. The muscle is considered unimportant in anatomically modern humans, with its main function being to assist the gastrocnemius muscle. The plantaris muscle is thought to have become less significant when human ancestors switched from climbing trees to bipedalism.
The plantaris muscle is often dismissed as a vestigial muscle, with some individuals even being born without it. It is absent in 7-20% of limbs, or 8-12% of the population. Its motor function is so minimal that its tendon can be harvested for reconstruction elsewhere in the body with little functional deficit. The muscle was more significant in lower mammals, where it was used for grasping with the feet. In humans, the plantaris muscle may provide proprioceptive feedback to the central nervous system about the position of the foot.
Injuries to the plantaris muscle are rare and are often accompanied by injuries to other muscles in the posterior compartment of the lower leg. However, ruptures of the plantaris tendon can occur during running, jumping, or quick foot movements in sports such as tennis, basketball, and soccer. This condition is commonly known as ""tennis leg". Symptoms of a plantaris muscle rupture include an audible popping sound, swelling, pain in the back of the lower leg, and persistent soreness.
Treatment for a plantaris muscle injury typically involves non-surgical methods such as rest, ice, compression, and elevation (RICE). Short-term use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) may be recommended to reduce pain and inflammation. Recovery from a plantaris muscle injury is generally simpler compared to other muscle injuries and usually takes a few weeks.
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The muscle is often injured during running or jumping, causing a condition called tennis leg
The plantaris muscle, also known as the monkey muscle, is a small component of the calf muscles. It is located between the two heads of the gastrocnemius, the medial and lateral heads, and is considered an "accessory muscle". The plantaris muscle is often dismissed as a small, vestigial muscle, but injuries to this muscle can be quite common and painful.
The plantaris muscle is often injured during running or jumping, causing a condition called tennis leg. Tennis leg is characterised by a partial rupture of the gastrocnemius muscle, which can occur during quick foot movement in sports such as tennis, basketball, and soccer. The injury may also be caused by tears in the musculotendinous junction of the medial gastrocnemius. Symptoms of a plantaris muscle rupture include an audible popping sound in the area during physical activity, swelling, pain in the back of the lower leg, and persistent soreness. Ankle flexion may also be painful.
The treatment for a plantaris muscle injury typically involves following the R.I.C.E. protocol, which includes rest, ice, compression, and elevation. Short-term use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) may be recommended to reduce pain and inflammation. It is important to differentiate a plantaris muscle tear from an Achilles tendon tear, as the foot can still be pointed downward following a plantaris rupture, whereas it cannot with an Achilles tear. Additionally, a plantaris rupture can be mistaken for a blood clot in the large veins of the calf, known as deep vein thrombosis (DVT), which requires immediate medical attention.
To prevent calf strains, it is important to keep the calf muscles strong and flexible through stretching and exercise. This can help the muscles absorb the energy of sudden physical stress and reduce the risk of injury during physical activities. Overall, while the plantaris muscle may be small, injuries to this muscle can cause significant discomfort and require proper treatment and recovery.
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The plantaris muscle is absent in 8-12% of the population
The plantaris muscle is a small component of the calf muscles. It is one of the superficial muscles of the superficial posterior compartment of the leg. It is composed of a thin muscle belly and a long, thin tendon. The tendon is the longest in the human body, measuring between 30 and 45 centimetres in length. The muscle itself is around 5 to 10 centimetres long.
The plantaris muscle is often considered a vestigial structure, becoming less important when human ancestors switched from climbing trees to bipedalism. It is present in most people, but absent in 8-12% of the population. Some sources place this number at 7-20%. The muscle is sometimes mistaken for a nerve by new medical students, and is accordingly dubbed the "freshman's nerve".
The plantaris muscle is innervated by the tibial nerve, a branch of the sciatic nerve in the sacral plexus. Its motor function is minimal, and injuries to it are rare. However, it may provide proprioceptive feedback to the central nervous system regarding the position of the foot.
The most common plantaris muscle injury is a rupture, which can occur during running or jumping. This injury is often called "tennis leg", as it is common among athletes who lunge forward. Treatment for a plantaris muscle injury is typically non-surgical and involves R.I.C.E (rest, ice, compression, elevation).
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It is innervated by the tibial nerve, a branch of the sciatic nerve
The monkey muscle is likely to be the plantaris muscle, which is located between the gastrocnemius and soleus muscles. It is a small muscle with a long tendon, which arises near the lateral head of the gastrocnemius and is inserted along the medial side of the tendo calcaneus (Achilles tendon). The plantaris muscle is considered to have become less important when human ancestors switched from climbing trees to bipedalism.
The plantaris muscle is innervated by the tibial nerve, a branch of the sciatic nerve in the sacral plexus. The tibial nerve is responsible for sending signals to the plantaris muscle to contract, providing weak plantar flexion of the foot and weak flexion of the knee. This process begins in the frontal lobe of the brain, with stimulation of upper motor neurons that send signals through the internal capsule and down the corticospinal tract. Decussation occurs in the medullary pyramids, after which the fibres continue down the contralateral side of the spinal cord.
At the anterior horn of the spinal cord in the sacral plexus, upper motor neurons synapse with lower motor neurons. The lower motor neuron fibres then continue down the sciatic nerve and diverge into the tibial and common fibular nerves. The tibial nerve runs medially at the knee joint. When an action potential is received by the tibial nerve, it triggers a contraction in the plantaris muscle, resulting in the aforementioned flexion of the foot and knee.
The plantaris muscle is often considered a vestigial structure, and its motor function is minimal. However, it may provide proprioceptive feedback to the central nervous system about the position of the foot. Its long tendon can be harvested for reconstruction elsewhere without causing significant functional deficits. The plantaris muscle is also associated with a condition called \"tennis leg\", which involves a partial rupture of the muscle and can be caused by quick foot movements in sports such as tennis, basketball, and soccer.
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Frequently asked questions
The monkey muscle is the plantaris muscle, which is located between the gastrocnemius and soleus muscles in the calf.
The plantaris muscle helps other muscles function well, especially at the knee and ankle. It also provides proprioceptive feedback information to the central nervous system regarding the position of the foot.
A tear in the monkey muscle can result in an injury commonly known as "tennis leg". Symptoms of a plantaris muscle rupture include an audible popping sound in the area during physical activity, swelling, pain in the back of the lower leg, and persistent soreness.
