Posterior Leg Anatomy Quiz

A large calf muscle with two heads originating above the knee joint, inserting onto the Achilles tendon.

A deep calf muscle with a single origin on the fibula and soleal line, also inserting onto the Achilles tendon.

The combined action of the Gastrocnemius and Soleus muscles, creating a powerful plantarflexion force.

A small, vestigial muscle in the calf, sometimes absent.

A condition where the calf muscles become shortened, making it difficult to dorsiflex the foot.

The anterior tibial artery supplies the front of the leg and foot. It originates from the popliteal artery and travels down the front of the shin. It continues as the dorsalis pedis artery in the foot, which branches into the metatarsal and plantar arteries supplying the toes.

The posterior tibial artery supplies the back of the leg and foot. It originates from the popliteal artery and descends behind the tibia. It branches into the medial and lateral plantar arteries, forming the plantar arch in the foot.

The superficial veins in the lower limb run close to the skin and drain the superficial tissues. These veins are not as deep as the arteries.

The deep veins in the lower limb run alongside the arteries and typically travel in pairs close to the arteries. These veins are referred to as 'venae comitantes.'

These veins connect the superficial and deep venous systems in the lower limb. They are present in the fascial layer surrounding the muscles. These veins allow blood flow between the superficial and deep venous systems.

The venous system of the lower limb is responsible for returning deoxygenated blood from the legs to the heart. It consists of a network of superficial and deep veins. The superficial veins, like the great saphenous vein, lie closer to the skin and primarily drain blood from the skin and subcutaneous tissues. The deep veins, like the femoral vein, run alongside major arteries and drain blood from the muscles and bones. Both superficial and deep veins are connected by perforator veins.

The popliteal vein is a deep vein located behind the knee. It receives blood from the veins of the calf and then drains into the femoral vein.

Varicose veins are abnormally enlarged and twisted veins, usually in the legs. They often occur when the valves in the veins become weak or damaged, causing blood to pool in the veins.

The lymphatic system is a network of vessels that drain excess fluid and waste products from tissues and help fight infections. Lymphatic drainage follows a similar path to the venous drainage in the lower limb.

The sciatic nerve is the largest nerve in the body, extending from the lower back to the leg. It divides into the tibial nerve and the common peroneal nerve, which supply different regions of the leg and foot.

The femoral nerve originates from the lumbar plexus and supplies the muscles of the anterior thigh and the skin of the anterior and medial thigh.

The obturator nerve is a branch of the lumbar plexus that supplies the muscles of the medial thigh and the skin on the medial thigh.

The tibial nerve originates from the sciatic nerve and supplies the muscles of the posterior leg and the plantar surface of the foot.

The popliteus muscle is a small muscle located in the posterior compartment of the knee joint. It originates from the lateral condyle of the femur and inserts into the lateral meniscus and the soleal line of the posterior tibia. It is innervated by the tibial nerve. Its primary action is to rotate the knee joint medially and laterally.

The flexor hallucis longus (FHL) is a muscle located in the deep posterior compartment of the leg. It originates from the lower two-thirds of the fibula and inserts into the distal phalanx of the big toe. It is innervated by the tibial nerve and its actions include flexion of the big toe joint (MTPJ) and interphalangeal joint (IPJ) as well as flexion of the ankle joint.

The flexor digitorum longus (FDL) is a muscle located in the deep posterior compartment of the leg. It originates from the posterior surface of the tibia and inserts into the distal phalanges of the lesser four toes. It is innervated by the tibial nerve. Its actions include plantarflexing the lesser toes and the foot, as well as stabilizing the toes during walking.

The tibialis posterior (TP) is a muscle located in the deep posterior compartment of the leg. It originates from the interosseous membrane and the tibia and fibula, and inserts into the navicular tuberosity and all tarsal bones except the talus. It is innervated by the tibial nerve. Its actions include inverting the foot and plantarflexing the ankle joint.

The flexor retinaculum is a thick band of tissue located in the ankle that holds the tendons of the deep posterior compartment muscles in place. It also helps to prevent these tendons from being damaged.

The popliteal fossa is a diamond-shaped area located at the back of the knee. It is formed by the hamstrings and the gastrocnemius muscles. Various blood vessels and nerves, including the popliteal artery and vein and tibial nerve, pass through this region.

The femoral artery is a major artery that supplies blood to the leg and foot. It originates from the external iliac artery and travels through the femoral triangle and adductor canal before entering the popliteal fossa.