Which tendons pass in the lateral malleolar groove?

Which tendons pass in the lateral malleolar groove?

• A. fibularis longus and fibularis brevis
• B. tibialis posterior and flexor digitorum longus
• C. gastrocnemius and plantaris
• D. soleus and plantaris

Answer: (A)

Tendons that pass through the lateral malleolar groove are the fibularis (peroneus) longus and fibularis (peroneus) brevis. They run behind the lateral malleolus in the retromalleolar groove, stabilized by the peroneal retinacula. This arrangement lets them wrap around the lateral side of the ankle and foot to evert the foot and provide lateral stability. The fibularis brevis inserts on the base of the fifth metatarsal, while the fibularis longus continues around the base of the first metatarsal and the medial cuneiform on the plantar aspect. Tendons of tibialis posterior and flexor digitorum longus pass behind the medial malleolus, not the lateral groove. The gastrocnemius and plantaris (and the soleus region) relate to the posterior aspect of the leg and Achilles area, not the lateral malleolar groove.

Tendons that pass through the lateral malleolar groove are the fibularis (peroneus) longus and fibularis (peroneus) brevis. They run behind the lateral malleolus in the retromalleolar groove, stabilized by the peroneal retinacula. This arrangement lets them wrap around the lateral side of the ankle and foot to evert the foot and provide lateral stability. The fibularis brevis inserts on the base of the fifth metatarsal, while the fibularis longus continues around the base of the first metatarsal and the medial cuneiform on the plantar aspect.

Tendons of tibialis posterior and flexor digitorum longus pass behind the medial malleolus, not the lateral groove. The gastrocnemius and plantaris (and the soleus region) relate to the posterior aspect of the leg and Achilles area, not the lateral malleolar groove.