Sesamoid Bones

Sesamoid bones are found in association with tendons in the feet, as in the hands. They may be bipartite and simulate fractures, although when pain and local tenderness is present it is important to remember that a bipartite sesamoid is larger overall than a fractured non-partite sesamoid. 

The bones around the knee are the patella (the largest sesamoid bone in the body), the femur, the tibia and the fibula which articulate with each other to form the patellofemoral, tibiofemoral and proximal tibiofibular joints. 

The flexor pollicis longus tendon traverses the thenar eminence between the superficial and deep bellies of the flexor pollicis brevis muscle. It then enters the osteofibrous canal of the thumb to insert at the volar aspect of the base of the distal phalanx. At the metacarpal head level, this tendon courses between two sesamoid bones, one (lateral) included in the combined tendon of the flexor pollicis brevis and abductor pollicis longus, the other (medial) in the adductor pollicis tendon. 

Fracture of the sesamoid bones of the thumb is another frequently missed lesion. It results from a hyperextension injury to the metacarpophalan-... 

Bianchi S, Abdelwahab IF, Zwass A et al (1993b) Fractures of the sesamoid bone of the thumb. Bull Hosp Jt Dis Orthop Inst 53 7-11... 

The foot and ankle complex (Figure 11.2) comprises 26 bones within the foot, which are non-sesamoid bones (sesamoid bones vary in quantity and location from person to person), two bones of the lower leg, and approximately 109 ligament and fascicle groups spanning these 28 bones [1],... 

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