Lower limb
Plantar aponeurosis and gluteal aponeurosis
Aponeurosis plantaris et aponeurosis glutea
- Origin
- Plantar aponeurosis originates from the medial tubercle of the calcaneal tuberosity; gluteal aponeurosis covers gluteus medius
- Insertion
- Divides into 5 longitudinal bands attaching to the digital fibrous sheaths and plantar plates of all five digits
- Function
- Drives the critical Windlass mechanism: hallux dorsiflexion winds the aponeurosis over metatarsal heads, elevating the medial arch and rigidifying the foot for propulsive push-off
- Innervation
- Mechanoreceptors and sensory branches from medial and lateral plantar nerves
- Movement & chain
- Under extreme tensile load during push-off and jumping
- Palpation
- Palpable as a tight central band in the sole when toes are dorsiflexed
- Clinical
- Plantar fasciitis (most common cause of adult heel pain, characterized by sharp post-static morning startup pain); Ledderhose disease (plantar fibromatosis with palpable nodules)
- Segmental innervation
- L5–S2 spinal cord levels
- In clinical practice
- Windlass test; Rathleff high-load strength training protocol (towel roll toe extension calf raises), night splints, custom orthotics, and extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT)
- Region in the model
- Lower limb