# Four Tendinous Slips of Flexor Hallucis Longus Tendon: A Case Report

## TL;DR

A rare anatomical variation in foot tendons was found during a cadaver dissection, which could impact surgical procedures.

## Contribution

The discovery of an aberrant tendinous slip from the flexor hallucis longus to the flexor digitorum longus is documented.

## Key findings

- A female cadaver exhibited four tendinous slips from the flexor hallucis longus to the lateral four tendons of the flexor digitorum longus.
- Tension on the flexor hallucis longus caused simultaneous flexion in the lesser toes.
- This anatomical variant may serve as a potential graft source for tendon reconstructions.

## Abstract

Interindividual variability presents a rich field of study in medical sciences. During a cadaveric dissection at Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, a rare anatomical variation was discovered in the pedal anatomy of a female cadaver. Medical students, while dissecting the sole of the foot, identified a variant tendinous structure. This aberrant tendinous slip from the flexor hallucis longus (FHL) extended to the lateral four tendons of flexor digitorum longus (FDL) along the plantar aspect of the foot. The discovery suggested that the FHL shares a functional relationship with the FDL. Application of tension to the FHL was found to result in simultaneous flexion motion in the lesser toes, from the second to the fifth digit. The presence of this anatomical variant holds considerable importance for surgical interventions, especially as a potential graft source in tendon reconstructions, warranting its documentation in this report.