Morphometrical features of the human malleolar groove.
BACKGROUND
Our aim was to investigate the morphometric features of malleolar groove of the lateral malleolus in humans.


METHODS
This study was performed on the malleolar grooves of 93 (80 dry and 13 cadaveric) fibulae. We measured the length of the fibula; length, width, and depth of the malleolar groove; the angle between malleolar groove and the fibular axis. Furthermore, we measured the distances between the distal tip of the fibula and the lateral and medial tubercles of lateral malleolus, and the width of posterior surface of the lateral malleolus.


RESULTS
We found the shape of malleolar groove regularly concave in 63 out of 93 (68%) fibulae. The features of the triangular area at the posterior aspect of the lateral malleolus, where the peroneal tendons pass over, may serve as a bed for the peroneal tendons. There was a significant correlation between the depth of the malleolar groove and the distances between the distal tip of the fibula and the medial and lateral tubercles, as well (p<0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
A strong correlation existed between either the shape of the groove or the values of the reference points.


CONCLUSIONS
The shape of the groove may be important in reinforcing the superior peroneal retinaculum (SPR) and other structures restraining the tendons.
Ozbag
Davut
D
Faculty of Medicine, Kahramanmaras Sutcu Imam University, Department of Anatomy, Yorukselim mh. Hastane cd. No: 32., Kahramanmaras 46050, Turkey. dozbag@ksu.edu.tr
Gumusalan
Yakup
Y
Uzel
Murat
M
Cetinus
Ercan
E
D000843:Ankle Joint / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D002102:Cadaver; D005360:Fibula / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D006801:Humans; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D013710:Tendons / Q000033:anatomy & histology