Anatomy - Muscles Of Leg

Question 1

Anterior muscles of the leg

Answer 1

Tibialis anterior
Extensor digitorum longus
Extensor hallucis longus

Question 2

Innervation of the anterior muscles of the leg

Answer 2

Deep peroneal/ fibular nerve

Question 3

Tibialis anterior

Answer 3

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

Question 4

Extensor digitorum longus

Answer 4

Splits into 4 tendons - one to each 4 lateral digits

Involved in extension of digits and ankle joint

Question 5

Extensor hallucis longus

Answer 5

Tendon attaches to big toe
Lies between tibialis anterior and extensor digitorum
Involved in extension of great toe

Question 6

‘Foot drop’

Answer 6

Usually occurs if deep peroneal nerve becomes compromised

Can’t clear the floor when walking (inability to extend ankle joint)

Question 7

Signs of ‘foot drop’

Answer 7

Scuff marks on the front of shoes

High stepping gait

Question 8

How is the deep peroneal nerve usually compromised

Answer 8

Compression at neck of fibula

Question 9

Function of fibularis muscles

Answer 9

Ankle eversion

Question 10

Innervation of fibularis muscles

Answer 10

Superficial branch of common fibular/peroneal nerve

Question 11

Fibularis longus

Answer 11

Passes laterally under LM to attach to medial aspect of the foot
Superficial to brevis
Supports transverse arch

Question 12

Fibularis brevis

Answer 12

Passes laterally under LM to attach to lateral aspect of foot
Deep to longus

Question 13

Posterior muscles of the leg

Answer 13

Gastrocnemius
Soleus
Plantaris
Flexor digitorum longus
Flexor hallucis longus
Tibialis posterior

Question 14

What is the popliteal fossa bound by

Answer 14

Hamstring muscles - superiorly

Gastrocnemius - inferiorly

Question 15

Contents of the popliteal fossa

Answer 15

Popliteal artery
Popliteal vein
Terminal branch of sciatic nerve
Tibial nerve
Common peroneal nerve

Question 16

Gastrocnemius

Answer 16

Has 2 heads that attach proximally to the posterior aspect of the femoral condyles and attaches distally at the calcaneous
Crosses the knee and ankle posterioly

Question 17

Actions at the gastrocnemius

Answer 17

Crosses knee and ankle posteriorly - knee flexion and ankle flexion (plantarflexion)

Question 18

Soleus

Answer 18

Attaches to tibia + fibula and blends w/ gastrocnemius tendon to attach to calcaneus (Achilles’ tendon)

Question 19

Plantaris

Answer 19

V. thin tendon that blends w/ Achilles’ tendon

Question 20

Superficial compartment of the posterior compartment of the leg

Answer 20

Gastrocnemius
Soleus
Plantaris

Question 21

Deeper compartment of the posterior compartment of the leg

Answer 21

Flexor digitorum longus
Flexor hallucis longus
Tibialis posterior

Question 22

Tibialis posterior

Answer 22

Supports spring ligament and medial longitudinal arch of foot
Allows plantar flexion and ankle inversion

Question 23

Innervation of posterior muscles of the leg

Answer 23

Tibial nerve

Question 24

Sural nerve

Answer 24

Cutaneous branch of tibial nerve

Question 25

Soleal pump

Answer 25

Helps venous blood return to heart

Question 26

Superficial venous system

Answer 26

Great saphenous vein | Short saphenous vein

Question 27

Great saphenous vein

Answer 27

Drains into femoral nerve

Question 28

Short saphenous vein

Answer 28

Runs into popliteal vein and drains into popliteal fossa

Question 29

Deep venous system

Answer 29

Runs alongside the arteries Venae commitantes When muscles in the leg contract (calf muscle pump), blood is pushed up

Question 30

Venae commitantes

Answer 30

Run either side of posterior tibial artery

Question 31

Why is the leg encased in deep fascia

Answer 31

Compartmentalizes muscle Provides external support Increases force on veins when contracting, acts as a restraining envelope

Question 32

When does compartment syndrome occur

Answer 32

When pressure within compartment > pressure in capillaries | Capillaries can't fill and supply blood to structures within the comportment ——-> ischaemia ——> avascular necrosis

Question 33

When are varicosities seen

Answer 33

When the valves fail

Question 34

Simmonds-Thompson test

Answer 34

Squeezing each calf when patient is lying face down on bed w/ legs dangling off of bed Should cause muscles to contract ——> plantar flexion of the ankle joint

Question 35

Treatment of a ruptured Achilles' tendon

Answer 35

Surgically repaired Wear a ‘moon boot’ during recovery- allows affected muscles to be in a position of non-function. Avoids stretching muscle —-> rupture heals faster

Question 36

Lateral leg muscles

Answer 36

Ankle evertors Peroneus longus Peroneus brevis Peroneus tertius

Question 36

Peroneus tertius

Answer 36

Small muscle branching from extensor digitorum | Attaches to lateral aspect of foot

Question 37

Flexor digitorum longus

Answer 37

Proximally, attaches to tibia | Runs behind MM and splits into 4 tendons - one for each digit

Question 38

Flexor hallucis longus

Answer 38

Proximally, attaches to fibula | Passes medially to the hallux