Podcast
Questions and Answers
Which of the following muscles is part of the superficial compartment of the posterior leg?
Which of the following muscles is part of the superficial compartment of the posterior leg?
What action is primarily performed by the gastrocnemius muscle?
What action is primarily performed by the gastrocnemius muscle?
Where does the gastrocnemius muscle originate?
Where does the gastrocnemius muscle originate?
Which nerve is responsible for the innervation of the soleus muscle?
Which nerve is responsible for the innervation of the soleus muscle?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the common action of the muscles classified under the triceps surae?
What is the common action of the muscles classified under the triceps surae?
Signup and view all the answers
Which artery is primarily responsible for the blood supply to the dorsum of the foot?
Which artery is primarily responsible for the blood supply to the dorsum of the foot?
Signup and view all the answers
What is a key anatomical feature of the venous drainage in the lower limb?
What is a key anatomical feature of the venous drainage in the lower limb?
Signup and view all the answers
Which arterial anastomosis is known as the 'cruciate' anastomosis?
Which arterial anastomosis is known as the 'cruciate' anastomosis?
Signup and view all the answers
Which of the following correctly describes the pathway of the long saphenous vein?
Which of the following correctly describes the pathway of the long saphenous vein?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the primary role of communicating veins in the venous drainage of the lower limb?
What is the primary role of communicating veins in the venous drainage of the lower limb?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the primary action of the flexor hallucis longus (FHL)?
What is the primary action of the flexor hallucis longus (FHL)?
Signup and view all the answers
Which of the following muscles is NOT innervated by the tibial nerve?
Which of the following muscles is NOT innervated by the tibial nerve?
Signup and view all the answers
What happens as a result of weakness or rupture of the tibialis posterior muscle?
What happens as a result of weakness or rupture of the tibialis posterior muscle?
Signup and view all the answers
Which structure is NOT found under the flexor retinaculum?
Which structure is NOT found under the flexor retinaculum?
Signup and view all the answers
Which of the following correctly describes the blood supply path to the lower limb?
Which of the following correctly describes the blood supply path to the lower limb?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the action of the tibialis posterior muscle?
What is the action of the tibialis posterior muscle?
Signup and view all the answers
Which option correctly identifies an action of the flexor digitorum longus?
Which option correctly identifies an action of the flexor digitorum longus?
Signup and view all the answers
Which nerve provides cutaneous sensation to the medial aspect of the heel?
Which nerve provides cutaneous sensation to the medial aspect of the heel?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the terminal pathway for venous drainage from the lower limb?
What is the terminal pathway for venous drainage from the lower limb?
Signup and view all the answers
Which nerve is responsible for innervating the skin on the posterior calf and lateral foot?
Which nerve is responsible for innervating the skin on the posterior calf and lateral foot?
Signup and view all the answers
What condition arises when the valves within veins become incompetent?
What condition arises when the valves within veins become incompetent?
Signup and view all the answers
Which statement about lymphatic drainage in the lower limb is correct?
Which statement about lymphatic drainage in the lower limb is correct?
Signup and view all the answers
Which nerve splits into the superficial and deep peroneal nerves in the leg?
Which nerve splits into the superficial and deep peroneal nerves in the leg?
Signup and view all the answers
What is a common consequence of blood pooling in the extremities?
What is a common consequence of blood pooling in the extremities?
Signup and view all the answers
Which statement about the femoral nerve is correct?
Which statement about the femoral nerve is correct?
Signup and view all the answers
Which nerve provides sensory innervation to the 1st webspace between the toes?
Which nerve provides sensory innervation to the 1st webspace between the toes?
Signup and view all the answers
Study Notes
Posterior Leg Anatomy
- The posterior leg is divided into two sub-compartments: superficial and deep.
- The superficial compartment comprises muscles like gastrocnemius, soleus, and plantaris.
- Gastrocnemius (two heads) and soleus combine to form triceps surae.
- The deep compartment includes popliteus, flexor hallucis longus (FHL), flexor digitorum longus (FDL), and tibialis posterior (TP).
Gastrocnemius Muscle
- Originates from two heads: above the medial and lateral femoral condyles.
- The heads join at the mid-leg.
- Insertion is on the tendo Achilles (calcaneal tendon).
- Innervated by the tibial nerve.
- Actions are foot plantarflexion and knee flexion.
Soleus Muscle
- Situated deep to gastrocnemius.
- Originates from the upper 1/3rd of the fibula and soleal line.
- Inserts into the tendo Achilles.
- Innervated by the tibial nerve.
- Action is foot plantarflexion.
- It's an active muscle during gait, engaging heavily from forefoot loading to toe-off.
Plantaris Muscle
- A small muscle of little clinical relevance.
- Originates from above the lateral supracondylar line of the femur.
- Inserts into the Achilles tendon.
- Action includes very weak knee flexion and ankle plantarflexion.
Deep Posterior Compartment
- The muscles in this compartment include popliteus, FHL, FDL, and tibialis posterior.
- The popliteus forms the floor of the popliteal fossa.
- Popliteus' origin/insertion occurs on the lateral condyle of the femur and posterior tibia, respectively.
- Popliteus innervation is by the tibial nerve.
- Popliteus action is medial/lateral rotation of the knee joint.
Flexor Hallucis Longus (FHL)
- Origin/insertion: lower 2/3rds of the fibula/interosseous membrane (wrapping around the medial malleolus).
- Passes between sesamoids.
- Inserts onto the distal phalanx of the great toe (hallux).
- Innervation by the tibial nerve.
- Actions are 1st MTPJ/IPJ flexion and hallux (great toe) flexion.
Flexor Digitorum Longus (FDL)
- Origin/insertion: posterior tibia (wrapping round medial malleolus).
- Passes laterally into plantar foot, divides into tendons.
- Inserts into distal phalanges of the lesser four toes.
- Innervated by the tibial nerve.
- Action includes plantarflexion of lesser four toes and foot plantarflexion.
Tibialis Posterior (TP)
- Origin/insertion: interosseous membrane and fibular/tibial sides, inserting onto the navicular tuberosity and the tarsal bones (excluding talus).
- Innervation from the tibial nerve.
- Action is foot inversion and plantarflexion.
- Pathology includes potential weakness/rupture leading to progressively pronated feet.
Structures Under Flexor Retinaculum
- Tibialis posterior (TP)
- Flexor digitorum longus (FDL)
- Artery
- Vein
- Nerve
- Flexor hallucis longus (FHL)
- These structures are arranged in anterior to posterior order.
Nerve Supply: Tibial Nerve
- The tibial nerve branches out from the sciatic nerve.
- It passes deep to the triceps surae, behind the medial malleolus, beneath the flexor retinaculum.
- It ultimately branches into medial and lateral plantar nerves, also featuring branches to muscles and the skin.
Nerve Supply: Common Peroneal
- The common peroneal nerve originates from the sciatic nerve and wraps around the lateral neck of the fibula.
- It supplies the knee joint (articular) and posterior/posterolateral areas of the leg.
- It branches into superficial peroneal and deep peroneal nerves.
Nerve Supply: Sural Nerve
- The sural nerve combines branches from both tibial and common peroneal nerves.
- It runs down the posterior calf with the short saphenous vein.
- It supplies the skin on the posterior calf, heel, and lateral foot.
Nerve Supply: Femoral Nerve
- The femoral nerve emerges from the lumbar plexus and travels through the inguinal ligament and sartorius/adductor canal.
- It splits into branches providing motor function to anterior thigh muscles.
- It also includes sensory branches supplying the skin over the anterior and medial aspects of the thigh with the saphenous nerve going to the medial side.
Nerve Supply: Obturator Nerve
- Passes through the obturator foramen and features anterior and posterior branches.
- Supplies muscles in the thigh's adductor compartment, along with the overlying skin.
Blood Supply
- External iliac artery's branch, the femoral artery, traverses the femoral triangle and creates branches into profunda femoris.
- Profunda femoris branches further into perforating and circumflex arteries.
- Branches from the popliteal, anterior, and posterior tibial arteries further supply the lower limb.
Venous Drainage
- Superficial veins drain the skin and superficial fascia. Deep veins accompany arteries (venae comitantes). Communicating veins exist.
- The dorsal venous arch helps drain the lateral foot.
- Long saphenous veins drain the medial side of the foot and leg.
- There are two venae comitantes accompanying each of the lower limb arteries providing deep drainage.
Lymphatic Drainage
- Follows general pattern of superficial and deep veins.
- Lymph nodes exist near the inguinal ligament and popliteal fossa.
Summary of Posterior Leg
- This detailed study summary covers the complexities of posterior leg anatomy.
- It includes meticulous descriptions of muscles, nerves, and their functions.
- It emphasises essential aspects of blood and lymphatic systems involved in leg function.
Studying That Suits You
Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.
Related Documents
Description
Test your knowledge on the anatomy of the posterior leg. This quiz covers key muscles like gastrocnemius, soleus, and their functions, as well as the distinctions between superficial and deep compartments. Perfect for anatomy students and fitness enthusiasts alike!
