Inferior extensor retinaculum of the foot

Inferior extensor retinaculum of foot
The mucous sheaths of the tendons around the ankle. Lateral aspect.
The mucous sheaths of the tendons around the ankle. Medial aspect.
Details
Identifiers
Latin	retinaculum musculorum extensorum inferius pedis, ligamentum cruciatum cruris
TA98	A04.7.03.027
TA2	2713
FMA	49385
Anatomical terminology

The inferior extensor retinaculum of the foot (cruciate crural ligament, lower part of anterior annular ligament) is a Y-shaped band placed in front of the ankle-joint, the stem of the Y being attached laterally to the upper surface of the calcaneus, in front of the depression for the interosseous talocalcanean ligament; it is directed medialward as a double layer, one lamina passing in front of, and the other behind, the tendons of the Peronæus tertius and Extensor digitorum longus.

At the medial border of the latter tendon these two layers join together, forming a compartment in which the tendons are enclosed.

From the medial extremity of this sheath the two limbs of the Y diverge: one is directed upward and medialward, to be attached to the tibial malleolus, passing over the Extensor hallucis longus and the vessels and nerves, but enclosing the Tibialis anterior by a splitting of its fibers.

The other limb extends downward and medialward, to be attached to the border of the plantar aponeurosis, and passes over the tendons of the Extensor hallucis longus and Tibialis anterior and also the vessels and nerves.

See also: Superior extensor retinaculum of foot

Additional images

• 
  Muscles of the front of the leg.

See also

• Cruciate ligament

This article incorporates text in the public domain from page 488 of the 20th edition of Gray's Anatomy (1918)