Anatomy - Muscles Of Leg Flashcards
Anterior muscles of the leg
Tibialis anterior
Extensor digitorum longus
Extensor hallucis longus
Innervation of the anterior muscles of the leg
Deep peroneal/ fibular nerve
Tibialis anterior
Closest muscle to tibia & crosses the ankle anteriorly to attach to the medial aspect of foot
Adjacent to subcutaneous border of tibia
Involved in ankle extension (dorsiflexion) and ankle inversion - also requires Tibialis posterior
Extensor digitorum longus
Splits into 4 tendons - one to each 4 lateral digits
Involved in extension of digits and ankle joint
Extensor hallucis longus
Tendon attaches to big toe
Lies between tibialis anterior and extensor digitorum
Involved in extension of great toe
‘Foot drop’
Usually occurs if deep peroneal nerve becomes compromised
Can’t clear the floor when walking (inability to extend ankle joint)
Signs of ‘foot drop’
Scuff marks on the front of shoes
High stepping gait
How is the deep peroneal nerve usually compromised
Compression at neck of fibula
Function of fibularis muscles
Ankle eversion
Innervation of fibularis muscles
Superficial branch of common fibular/peroneal nerve
Fibularis longus
Passes laterally under LM to attach to medial aspect of the foot
Superficial to brevis
Supports transverse arch
Fibularis brevis
Passes laterally under LM to attach to lateral aspect of foot
Deep to longus
Posterior muscles of the leg
Gastrocnemius Soleus Plantaris Flexor digitorum longus Flexor hallucis longus Tibialis posterior
What is the popliteal fossa bound by
Hamstring muscles - superiorly
Gastrocnemius - inferiorly
Contents of the popliteal fossa
Popliteal artery Popliteal vein Terminal branch of sciatic nerve Tibial nerve Common peroneal nerve