Anatomy of the Posterior Compartment of the Leg

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Questions and Answers

Which muscle is responsible for plantar flexion of the foot?

Popliteus

Gastrocnemius (correct)

Tibialis posterior

Flexor digitorum longus

Which nerve supplies the muscles in the posterior compartment of the leg?

Sural nerve

Femoral nerve

Common peroneal nerve

Tibial nerve (correct)

Which muscle has two heads?

Tibialis posterior

Soleus

Plantaris

Gastrocnemius (correct)

What is the action of the plantaris muscle?

Plantar flexion of the foot Signup and view all the answers

Which muscle has a long tendon deep to the lateral head of the gastrocnemius?

Plantaris Signup and view all the answers

Which muscle is responsible for flexion of the knee?

Gastrocnemius Signup and view all the answers

How many muscles are in the superficial group of the posterior compartment of the leg?

3 Signup and view all the answers

Which muscle is not part of the deep group of muscles in the posterior compartment of the leg?

Gastrocnemius Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of the popliteus muscle?

Unlocks the knee joint Signup and view all the answers

Which muscle originates from the posterior surface of the proximal tibia?

Popliteus Signup and view all the answers

What is the nerve supply of the flexor hallucis longus muscle?

Tibial nerve [S2,S3] Signup and view all the answers

What is the insertion of the tibialis posterior muscle?

Mainly to the tuberosity of the navicular and medial cuneiform Signup and view all the answers

Which muscle is the deepest one between the flexor hallucis longus and flexor digitorum longus?

Tibialis posterior Signup and view all the answers

What is the action of the flexor digitorum longus muscle?

Flexes the lateral four toes Signup and view all the answers

What is the origin of the flexor hallucis longus muscle?

Posterior surface of the fibula and adjacent interosseous membrane Signup and view all the answers

What is the terminal branch of the popliteal artery that is larger and more direct?

Posterior tibial artery Signup and view all the answers

What is the attachment point of the Flexor Retinaculum above?

Medial malleolus Signup and view all the answers

Which muscle is responsible for hip flexion?

Iliopsoas Signup and view all the answers

What is the spinal level associated with knee extension?

L3, L4 Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of tapping the patella tendon with a tendon hammer?

To test knee reflexes Signup and view all the answers

What is the structure that the Flexor Retinaculum is continuous with below?

Plantar aponeurosis Signup and view all the answers

What is the muscle responsible for ankle dorsiflexion?

Tibialis anterior Signup and view all the answers

What is the spinal level associated with ankle plantarflexion?

S1, S2 Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of examining muscle groups during a neurological examination?

To assess muscle wasting Signup and view all the answers

Where does the posterior tibial artery begin?

At the distal border of the popliteus Signup and view all the answers

What is the largest and most important branch of the posterior tibial artery?

Fibular artery Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of the tibial nerve?

To supply most intrinsic muscles and skin of the foot Signup and view all the answers

What are the two cutaneous branches of the tibial nerve?

Sural nerve and medial calcaneal nerve Signup and view all the answers

What is the origin of the sural nerve?

From the union of the medial sural cutaneous nerve and the sural communicating branch of the common fibular nerve Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary region of skin supplied by the sural nerve?

The lateral surface of the foot and little toe Signup and view all the answers

What forms the tarsal tunnel?

A depression formed by the medial malleolus, the medial and posterior surfaces of the talus, and the medial surface of the calcaneus Signup and view all the answers

What is the terminal branch of the posterior tibial artery?

Both medial and lateral plantar arteries Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Posterior Compartment of the Leg

Consists of muscles, blood vessels, and nerves
Muscles:
- Organized into two groups: superficial and deep
Blood Vessels:
- Posterior tibial vessels
Nerves:
- Tibial nerve

Superficial Group

Three muscles:
- Gastrocnemius: large muscle with two heads
- Plantaris: small muscle with long tendon deep to lateral head of gastrocnemius
- Soleus: large flat muscle under the gastrocnemius

Deep Group

Four muscles:
- Popliteus: smallest and most superior of the deep muscles
- Flexor hallucis longus: located inferolaterally
- Flexor digitorum longus: located medially
- Tibialis posterior: deepest one, between FHL and FDL

Muscles and Their Actions

Gastrocnemius: plantar flexes foot and flexes knee
Plantaris: assists in plantar flexion
Soleus: plantar flexes foot
Popliteus: unlocks knee joint
Flexor hallucis longus: flexes great toe
Flexor digitorum longus: flexes lateral four toes
Tibialis posterior: inverts and plantar flexes foot, supports medial arch of foot during walking

Posterior Tibial Artery

Larger and more direct terminal branch of the popliteal artery
Descends on the superficial surfaces of the tibialis posterior and flexor digitorum longus muscles
Passes through the tarsal tunnel behind the medial malleolus and into the sole of the foot
Ends by dividing into medial and lateral plantar arteries
Branches:
- Muscular
- Nutrient
- Circumflex fibular artery
- Fibular artery
- Medial and lateral plantar arteries

Fibular Artery

Largest and most important branch of the tibial artery
Arises inferior to the distal border of the popliteus
Branches:
- Muscular
- Nutrient artery of the fibula
- Perforating branches
- Terminal lateral malleolar and calcaneal branches

Tibial Nerve

Major branch of the sciatic nerve that descends into the posterior compartment
Leaves the posterior compartment of the leg at the ankle by passing through the tarsal tunnel behind the medial malleolus
Enters the foot to supply most intrinsic muscles and skin
Branches:
- Muscular
- Two cutaneous branches: sural nerve and medial calcaneal nerve

Sural Nerve

Originates high in the leg by union of the medial sural cutaneous nerve and sural communicating branch of the common fibular nerve
Descends superficial to the gastrocnemius muscle
Supplies skin on the lower posterolateral surface of the leg and the lateral side of the foot and little toe

Tarsal Tunnel

Formed on the posteromedial side of the ankle
Formed by the medial malleolus, the medial and posterior surfaces of the talus, and the medial surface of the calcaneus
Overlaying flexor retinaculum

Flexor Retinaculum

Strap-like layer of connective tissue
Attaches above to the medial malleolus and below and behind to the inferomedial margin of the calcaneus
Continuous above with the deep fascia of the leg and below with deep fascia of the foot
Structures deep to it from medial to lateral are:
- Tendon of tibialis posterior
- Tendon of flexor digitorum longus
- Posterior tibial artery, vein, and nerve
- Tendon of the flexor hallucis longus

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Description

This quiz covers the muscles, blood vessels, and nerves of the posterior compartment of the leg, including the superficial and deep muscle groups.