FABELLA IN THE MEDIAL HEAD OF GASTROCNEMIUS -A CASE REPORT.

Abstract

Fabella is sesamoid type of bone found around the knee joint. Whenever fabella is present, it is embedded in proximal tendon of lateral head of gastrocnemius. Fabella helps to stabilize the postero-lateral aspect of knee joint, to diminish friction between bone and tendon, to alter the direction of pull and action of muscle. In the present case, during routine dissection for students on a male cadaver, it has been found that fabella was present in proximal tendon of medial head of gastrocnemius in left lower limb. Fabella is more commonly seen in Asian population (30-52%). Recently the knee joint is one of the most frequently injured and diseased joints, it has been the subject of extensive research. Pathologies related to fabella are fabella pain syndrome, common bular nerve palsy, and osteoarthritis. In order to diagnose and treat patients with pathology of this region, a deeper comprehension of the anatomy of the knee joint and its variations, such as fabella, is essential.