Dissection 4

Question 1

Give the boundaries of the popliteal fossa

Answer 1

Semimembranosus & Semitendinosus (superomedially)
Biceps femoris (superolaterally)
Medial & Lateral heads of the Gastrocnemius (inferiorly)

Question 2

Contents of the popliteal fossa

Answer 2

Tibial nerve & branches
Common fibular nerve 
Popliteal artery, vein and lymph nodes
Plantaris muscle
Popliteus muscle

Question 3

Superficial muscles

Answer 3

Gastrocnemisus
Soleus
Plantaris
Popliteus

Question 4

Deep muscles

Answer 4

Flexor hallucis longus
Flexor digitorum longus
Tibialis Posterior

Question 5

Actions of the deep muscles

Answer 5

Plantar-flex the ankles and toes

Question 6

What muscles help with inversion of the foot?

Answer 6

The tibialis posterior along with the tibialis anterior (from the anterior compartment)

Question 7

Nerve supply to the muscles

Answer 7

Tibial nerve

Question 8

Which tendons from the leg reach the sole of the foot by passing posterior to the medial malleolus and deep to the flexor retinaculum?

Answer 8

Tom, Dick ANd Harry 
Tibialis posterior 
Flexor Digitorum longus 
posterior tibial Artery 
tibial Nerve
flexor Hallucis longus

Question 9

Gastrocnemius: Describe it and it’s attachments

Answer 9

2 heads + 2 muscle bellies…medial & lateral
Proximal attachments - to their respective femoral condyle
Distal attachments - Calcaneus via the Achilles tendon

Question 10

Action of the Gastrocnemius

Answer 10

Crosses both knee and ankle joints giving it weak knee flexor and powerful ankle plantar-flexor (push off when walking or running)

Question 11

Soleus: Attachments

Answer 11

Proximal attachments - Neck of fibula & soleal line of tibia
Distal attachment - Calcaneus via Achilles tendon

Question 12

Describe the branches of the popliteal artery

Answer 12

Divides immediately distal to the popliteal fossa into anterior and posterior tibial arteries.
The fibular artery is a branch of the posterior tibial artery

Question 13

What do the artery supply?

Answer 13

Anterior fibular artery = anterior compartment
Posterior fibular artery = posterior compartment
Fibular artery = lateral compartment

Question 14

What does the posterior tibial artery terminate into?

Answer 14

Medial and Lateral planter arteries

Question 15

Attachments of the deep muscles of the posterior leg

Answer 15

Proximally:
Inferior to soleal line of the tibia
Mid-shaft of the fibula
Interosseous membrane

Distally: (their tendons attach to..)
Medial tarsal bones
Distal phalanges of lateral four toes
Distal phalanx of great toe