Variation of the plantaris muscle involves several distinct anatomical domains, including presence or absence, proximal attachment / origin, muscle belly morphology, accessory heads, tendon course, distal attachment / insertion, relationship with the Achilles tendon, and topographical relationships [1-12].
This page provides a concise overview of these principal domains of variation. Detailed classification of proximal attachment and distal attachment, as well as rare and case-based configurations, is presented separately in the corresponding dedicated sections.
Anatomical Concept
The plantaris should be assessed as a muscle-tendon unit in which anatomical variation may occur independently in several domains, including its presence, proximal attachment, muscle belly and accessory components, tendon course, distal attachment and topographical relationships [1-12].
The plantaris should be assessed as a muscle-tendon unit in which anatomical variation may occur independently in several domains, including its presence, proximal attachment, muscle belly and accessory components, tendon course, distal attachment and topographical relationships [1-12].
Main Domains of Variation
The table below summarizes the principal anatomical domains that should be considered when describing plantaris variation. It is an overview table, not a replacement for the dedicated classification pages.
Table 1. Main anatomical domains of plantaris muscle variation.
| Anatomical domain | What varies | Dedicated VARIANTIS section |
|---|---|---|
| Presence / absence | The plantaris muscle may be present or absent, with reported prevalence varying between adult anatomical series [1]. | Anatomical Variation Overview |
| Proximal attachment / origin | The structures contributing to the proximal attachment and their combinations show considerable anatomical variability [2,3]. | Proximal Attachment Classification |
| Muscle belly and accessory-head morphology | Rare configurations may involve division or duplication of the muscle belly and the presence of accessory or multiheaded muscular components [4-7]. | Rare and Case-Based Variants |
| Tendon course | The plantaris tendon may follow different distal trajectories in relation to the Achilles tendon and adjacent structures [8,9]. | Distal Attachment Classification |
| Distal attachment / insertion | The terminal attachment of the plantaris tendon varies in site and configuration and may involve osseous or non-osseous structures [8-10]. | Distal Attachment Classification |
| Relationship with the Achilles tendon | The plantaris tendon may remain separate from the Achilles tendon or show varying degrees of close topographical or structural relationship with it [8-10]. | Distal Attachment Classification / Clinical Significance |
| Topographical / neurovascular relationships | Rare proximal or accessory configurations may alter the topographical relationship of the plantaris muscle to the popliteal neurovascular bundle and adjacent structures [11,12]. | Rare and Case-Based Variants / Clinical Significance |
This overview is intended to direct the reader to the appropriate detailed section. Detailed proximal and distal attachment classifications, as well as rare and case-based variants, are presented separately.
References
1. Daseler EH, Anson BJ. The plantaris muscle: an anatomical study of 750 specimens. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 1943;25(4):822-827.
2. Olewnik L, Kurtys K, Gonera B, Podgorski M, Sibinski M, Polguj M. Proposal for a new classification of plantaris muscle origin and its potential effect on the knee joint. Ann Anat. 2020;231:151506. doi:10.1016/j.aanat.2020.151506.
3. Lee H, Heo Y, Kim D, Hwang SJ. Morphological classification of the plantaris muscle origin: a cadaveric study. Sci Rep. 2025;15(1):38527. doi:10.1038/s41598-025-18762-9.
4. Rana KK, Das S, Verma R. Double plantaris muscle: a cadaveric study with clinical importance. Int J Morphol. 2006;24(3):495-498. doi:10.4067/S0717-95022006000400032.
5. Smedra A, Olewnik L, Labetowicz P, Danowska-Klonowska D, Polguj M, Berent J. A bifurcated plantaris muscle: another confirmation of its high morphological variability? Another type of plantaris muscle. Folia Morphol (Warsz). 2021;80(3):739-744. doi:10.5603/FM.a2020.0101.
6. Maslanka K, Zielinska N, Paulsen F, Niemiec M, Olewnik L. A three-headed plantaris muscle fused with Kaplan fibres: potential clinical significance. Folia Morphol (Warsz). 2024;83(2):466-471. doi:10.5603/fm.95513.
7. Zielinska N, Maslanka K, Wegiel A, Kurtys K, Olewnik L. Never undescribed before, four-headed plantaris muscle. Folia Morphol (Warsz). 2024;83(4):942-946. doi:10.5603/fm.98753.
8. Olewnik L, Wysiadecki G, Podgorski M, Polguj M, Topol M. The plantaris muscle tendon and its relationship with the Achilles tendinopathy. Biomed Res Int. 2018;2018:9623579. doi:10.1155/2018/9623579.
9. Olewnik L, Wysiadecki G, Polguj M, Topol M. Anatomic study suggests that the morphology of the plantaris tendon may be related to Achilles tendonitis. Surg Radiol Anat. 2017;39(1):69-75. doi:10.1007/s00276-016-1682-1.
10. van Sterkenburg MN, Kerkhoffs GMMJ, Kleipool RP, van Dijk CN. The plantaris tendon and a potential role in mid-portion Achilles tendinopathy: an observational anatomical study. J Anat. 2011;218(3):336-341. doi:10.1111/j.1469-7580.2011.01335.x.
11. Olewnik L, Podgorski M, Polguj M, Topol M. The plantaris muscle – rare relations to the neurovascular bundle in the popliteal fossa. Folia Morphol (Warsz). 2018;77(4):785-788. doi:10.5603/FM.a2018.0039.
12. Kotian SR, Sachin KS, Bhat KMR. Bifurcated plantaris with rare relations to the neurovascular bundle in the popliteal fossa. Anat Sci Int. 2013;88(4):239-241. doi:10.1007/s12565-013-0184-z.