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Gastrocnemius tubercle: attachment point of the gastrocnemius muscle tendon and posterior oblique ligament


MOJ Anatomy & Physiology
José Aderval Aragão,1,4 Julia Dória Fontes,2 Iapunira Catarina Sant’ Anna Aragão,3 Felipe Matheus Sant’ Anna Aragão,3 Francisco Prado Reis4

Abstract

Introduction: The gastrocnemius tubercle is a third bony prominence found in the medial inferior part of the femur, gently distal and posterior to the adductor tubercle. It was named after its close location to the depression corresponding to the insertion of the medial gastrocnemius tendon. The gastrocnemius tubercle is likely to provide an extra surface for the insertion of the medial head of the gastrocnemius muscle. The aim of this study was to verify the incidence of the gastrocnemius tubercle in bones of dry femurs in northeastern Brazil.

Materials and methods: We evaluated 110 intact medial femoral condyles of human adults, found at the Human Anatomy Laboratories of the Federal University of Sergipe and the Tiradentes University, and 54 were right and 56 left, of unknown gender and age. 

Results: Of the 110 medial femoral condyles evaluated, the gastrocnemius tubercle was found in 82.72% (91) of the cases. In the right dimidium this incidence was 41.8% (46) and in the left 40.9% (45). 

Conclusion: The gastrocnemius tubercle has a high incidence in the medial femoral condyles of human adults, and its recognition is of great importance to clinicians and orthopaedic surgeons in the diagnosis and treatment of injuries on the knee medial face.

Keywords

gastrocnemius tubercle, femur, incidence, referential, femoral condyle, triangular space, right dimidium, surgery, non-anatomical repairs, palpation, superficial shape, orthopaedic surgeons, medial knee face, medial epicondyle

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