Introduction
Fibularis tertius (FT) is highly variable muscle and may be absent. FT muscle marks the anterolateral entry during using the ankle arthroscopy procedures, used as a flap to cover faults in the foot soft tissue, tendon transfer and resection surgeries.1 Fibularis tertius (FT) can also be called as the peroneus tertius.2 FT muscle is a comparatively small underestimated evolutionary appearing unipennate muscle of anterior compartment of the leg which helps in dorsiflexion and eversion movements of foot. Fibularis tertius was primitively restricted to dorsum of foot as a part of muscle Extensor digitorum brevis, but due to functional insistence of bipedal gait and plantigrade foot, it has migrated upwards in to the leg.3 The musculature of the human lower limb has considerably adapted, because of the special mode of progression. Few muscles even now are in the process of evolution, they are either disintegrating like the plantaris of back of leg or are appearing like the fibularis tertius of anterior compartment of leg. Variations in the positioning of muscles, as regards of their mode of attachment and degree of subdivision are encountered very often.4 The FT may be used for tendon graft surgeries and pull of this muscle may be responsible for instigating strain on the fifth metatarsal bone which is bone of its insertion and account for all stress fractures in any individual. The absence of the FT may obscure a plastic surgeon and foot surgeon for performing graft operations.5
Case Report
While doing routine dissection for the MBBS students, we observed absence of fibularis tertius on the dorsum of the right foot of a embalmed male cadaver of middle age in the Department of Anatomy, Sri Guru Ram Das medical college, Amritsar. Other limb was also carefully observed and examined to look for the absence of FT muscle. No scar mark or any sign of injury was observed on the right limb. The other muscles of the anterior compartment were present normally with their normal anatomical characters. The photographs of the dorsum of right foot were taken for genuine documentation of the case report. The absence of the fibularis tertius is a rare anomaly. In many cases, lacking of Fibularis tertius may be asymptomatic and may be incidentally found absent during normal routine dissection of cadavers
Discussion
With the adaptation to upright posture, the foot had to not only hold up the weight but also keep the balance of body, while walking and standing on bumpy surfaces. The FT muscle is absent in many primates with considerable dissimilarities in human beings.3 Fibularis tertius is highly variable in its appearance and muscle bulk, occasionally may be completely absent. It may be attached to the fourth metatarsal instead of fifth.6 It may be as bulky as the Extensor Digitorum Longus or even it may be lacking.7 Study on Caucasian population was done which concluded its nonappearance in 5-17% of cases. The clinical importance of the Fibularis tertius concerning prevention and treatment of ankle ligament injuries is less.8 This muscle may play a special proprioceptive role in detecting abrupt inversion and then contracting to guard the anterior tibiofibular ligament, one of the most commonly injured ligaments of our body.9 The insertion of the FT might occupied a major role in the creation of torsional stresses as noticed in Jones fractures and stress fractures.10 Presence or lacking of the FT have a clinical and evolutionary importance that is why this case report has been presented. The absence of FT may misdirect the surgeons in performing graft and transplant operations. Thus, radiological imaging procedures must be made to approve the presence or absence of the FT before scheduling any manoeuvre in foot.
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