Lower limb
Ankle retinacula (Extensor, flexor, and fibular retinacula)
Retinacula extensorum, flexorum et fibularium pedis
- Origin
- Specialized transverse thickenings of the deep crural fascia around the ankle
- Insertion
- Superior and inferior extensor retinacula (cruciate crural ligament), flexor retinaculum (roof of tarsal tunnel), and superior/inferior fibular retinacula
- Function
- Function as essential anatomical pulleys preventing bowstringing of extensor, flexor, and evertor tendons during ankle kinematics
- Innervation
- Proprioceptive and sensory nerves (tibial, deep fibular, sural)
- Movement & chain
- Maintain tendon alignment throughout full range of ankle motion
- Palpation
- Palpable as dense fibrous bands bridging the malleoli and tarsal bones
- Clinical
- Tarsal tunnel syndrome beneath the flexor retinaculum; anterior tarsal tunnel syndrome; traumatic tearing of superior fibular retinaculum leading to snapping peroneal tendons
- Segmental innervation
- L4–S2 spinal levels
- In clinical practice
- Surgical retinacular decompression in compressive neuropathies; retinacular reconstruction/deepening in peroneal tendon subluxation
- Region in the model
- Lower limb