15: Posterior Leg Flashcards
Which foot bone has a groove for the flexor hallucis longus tendon?
Talus
What two bones does the calcaneus articulate with?
Talus, cuboid
Sustentaculum tali
A shelf-like projection on the calcaneus that provides support for the talus
What runs in the groove of the sustentaculum tali?
Flexor hallucis longus
Five bones the navicular articulates with
Talus, 3 cuneiforms, cuboid
What muscle attaches to the navicular tuberosity?
Tibialis posterior
Four leg compartments formed by crural fascia
Anterior, lateral, posterior (superficial and deep)
Four shared structures in each leg compartment
Function, nerve, artery, vein
What septa divides posterior compartment into superior and deep?
Transverse septa
Three superficial posterior leg muscles
- Gastrocnemius
- Soleus
- Plantaris
Gastrocnemius: medial and lateral head origin
Medial: popliteal surface above medial femoral condyle
Lateral: lateral femoral condyle
Which head of gastrocnemius is a lil larger and extends a lil further?
Medial head
Common insertion for superficial posterior muscles
calcaneus via calcaneus tendon
Which muscle in the leg may have a fabella close to the origin
Lateral head of gastrocnemius
Fabellar stress fracture
Can occur after total knee replacements
Gastrocnemius action
Plantarflexion, leg flexion
Triceps surae
Soleus + two heads of gastrocnemius
Soleus O
Soleal line of tibia, posterior head of fibula
Soleus action
Plantarflexion
Plantaris presence
Is small and often absent
Where does the long tendon of the plantaris run?
Between gastrocnemius and soleus
Plantaris origin
Lateral end of lateral supracondylar line
Plantaris
Weak plantarflexion, leg flexion - but mostly proprioceptive for foot position
What can the plantaris tendon be used for?
Reconstructive hand surgery
Plantaris rupture: susceptible populations
Basketball players, sprinters, dancers
Four deep posterior leg muscles
- Popliteus
- Flexor hallucis longus
- Flexor digitorum longus
- Tibialis posterior
Popliteus relation to plantaris
Deep to plantaris