Leg: Posterior Compartment

Question 1

Gastrocnemius

Superficial

Answer 1

Origin…
Lateral head: Lateral aspect of lateral condyle of
femur
Medial head: Popliteal surface above medial condyle
of femur

Insertion… Posterior aspect of calcaneus via calcaneal
tendon

Innervation… Tibial nerve

Blood Supply… Popliteal and posterior tibial arteries

Action… Plantar flexes foot at ankle joint, assists in flexion
of knee joint

Question 2

Soleus

Superficial

Answer 2

Origin… Posterior aspect of head of fibula, proximal 1/4 of
posterior surface of fibula, soleal line of tibia

Insertion… Posterior aspect of calcaneus via calcaneal
tendon

Innervation… Tibial nerve

Blood Supply… Popliteal, posterior tibial, and fibular
arteries

Action… Plantar flexes foot at ankle, stabilizes leg over foot

Question 3

Plantaris

Superficial

Answer 3

Origin… Inferior end of lateral supracondylar line of femur
and oblique popliteal ligament

Insertion… Posterior aspect of calcaneus via calcaneal
tendon

Innervation… Tibial nerve

Blood Supply… Popliteal artery

Action… Weakly assists gastrocnemius

Question 4

Popliteus

Deep

Answer 4

Origin… Lateral aspect of lateral condyle of femur, lateral
meniscus

Insertion… Posterior tibia superior to soleal line

Innervation… Tibial nerve

Blood Supply… Inferior medial and lateral genicular
arteries

Action… Weakly flexes knee and unlocks it by rotating
femur on fixed tibia

Question 5

Tibialis Posterior

Deep

Answer 5

Origin… Posterior tibia below soleal line, interosseous
membrane, proximal half of posterior fibula

Insertion… Tuberosity of navicular bone, all cuneiforms,
cuboid, and bases of 2nd through 4th
metatarsal bones

Innervation… Tibial nerve

Blood Supply… Fibular artery

Action… Plantar flexes foot at ankle and inverts foot

Question 6

Flexor Digitorum Longus

Deep

Answer 6

Origin… Medial part of posterior tibia inferior to soleal line

Insertion… Plantar bases of distal phalangeal bones of
lateral four digits

Innervation… Tibial nerve

Blood Supply… Posterior tibial artery

Action… Flexes lateral four digits and plantar flexes foot at
ankle; supports longitudinal arches of foot

Question 7

Flexor Hallucis Longus

Deep

Answer 7

Origin… Distal 2/3 of posterior fibula and interosseous
membrane

Insertion… Base of distal phalanx of great toe

Innervation… Tibial nerve

Blood Supply… Fibular artery

Action… Flexes all joints of great toe, weakly plantar flexes
foot at ankle