The accessory soleus is the most common anomalous ankle/foot muscle, present in 0.7-5.5% of individuals. It appears as a soft tissue mass in the medial ankle, mistaken for a tumour on clinical examination.
| Origin | Soleal line of the tibia or the anterior soleus; Fibula — upper third (variable) |
|---|---|
| Insertion | Calcaneus — medial surface, distinct from the main Achilles tendon; Occasionally joins the main Achilles tendon |
| Nerve Supply | Tibial nerve (S1, S2) |
| Blood Supply | Posterior tibial artery |
| Actions | Plantarflexes the ankle; Supports the medial ankle and plantar flexion |
|---|
Accessory soleus presents as a posteromedial ankle mass enlarging with exercise and shrinking at rest (due to muscle hypertrophy with activity). MRI is diagnostic, showing a normal muscle signal mass separate from the soleus. If symptomatic, excision or partial fasciotomy relieves the exercise-related pain.
Palpable as a posteromedial ankle mass that enlarges during plantarflexion exercise.
Anomalous accessory soleus presenting as a posteromedial ankle soft tissue mass, confirmed by MRI signal characteristics and treated by excision if symptomatic.
This website uses cookies to enhance your experience. Some are essential for site functionality, while others help us analyze and improve your usage experience. Please review your options and make your choice.
If you are under 16 years old, please ensure that you have received consent from your parent or guardian for any non-essential cookies.
Your privacy is important to us. You can adjust your cookie settings at any time. For more information about how we use data, please read our privacy policy. You may change your preferences at any time by clicking on the settings button below.
Note that if you choose to disable some types of cookies, it may impact your experience of the site and the services we are able to offer.
Some required resources have been blocked, which can affect third-party services and may cause the site to not function properly.
This website uses cookies to enhance your browsing experience and ensure the site functions properly. By continuing to use this site, you acknowledge and accept our use of cookies.
