Lower limb 4

Question 1

what are the superficial muscles of the posterior compartment of the lower limb and what is their nerve supply?

Answer 1

gastrocnemius
soleus
plantaris

• Tibial nerve

Question 2

what 2 muscles form the upper boarder of the popliteal fossa ?

Answer 2

biceps femoris (lateral)
semimembranousus (medial)

Question 3

what muscle forms the lower boarder of the popliteal fossa?

Answer 3

medial and lateral heads of the gastrocnemius

Question 4

what nerves are found within the popliteal fossa?

Answer 4

sciatic nerve branching into common fibular nerve and tibial nerve

Question 5

what vein drains into the popliteal fossa?

Answer 5

short saphenous vein which drains into popliteal vein

Question 6

what are the actions of the gastrocnemius muscle?

Answer 6

flexes the knee and plantar flexes the foot

Question 7

what nerve innervates the gastrocnemius?

Answer 7

tibial nerve

Question 8

what is the function of the plantaris muscle and what is its innervation?

Answer 8

plantar flexion

tibial nerve

Question 9

what is the name of the large tendon which extends from the gastrocnemius?

Answer 9

calcaneal tendon

Question 10

what artery supplies the posterior compartment of the lower limb?

Answer 10

posterior tibial artery

Question 11

what are the deep muscles of the posterior compartment of the leg and what is their nerve supply?

Answer 11

popliteus
flexor digitorum longus
flexor hallucis longus
tibialis posterior

• tibial nerve

Question 12

what are the actions of the popliteal muscle?

Answer 12

flexion and internal rotation of the knee joint

Question 13

what are the bones of the foot?

Answer 13

calcaneus 
talus
cuboid
cuneiforms
navicular 
metatarsals

Question 14

what type of joint is between the tibia and the talus?

Answer 14

synovial hinge

Question 15

what type of joint is between the talus and navicular?

Answer 15

synovial ball and socket

Question 16

what part of the ankle/foot allows inversion and eversion?

Answer 16

subtalar joints

Question 17

what are the muscles of the foot?

Answer 17

abductor hallucis
abductor digiti minimi
flexor digiti
quadratus plantae muscle

Question 18

what is the main function of the muscles of the foot?

Answer 18

flexion of the toes

required for pushing off the ground for walking

Question 19

what nerves innervate the intrinsic muscles of the foot and what nerve are these a branch of ?

Answer 19

medial plantar and lateral plantar nerves

branch of the tibial nerve

Question 20

what muscles are responsible for inversion of the foot?

Answer 20

tibialis anterior and tibialis posterior muscles

both act together

Question 21

what muscles are responsible for eversion of the foot?

Answer 21

abductor longus

adductor brevis

Question 22

what is clinically significant about the plantaris muscle?

Answer 22

because of its long tendon it can be used for grafting

Question 23

what ligament helps to maintain the medial longitudinal arch of the foot?

Answer 23

calcaneonavicular ligament

Question 24

what are the dynamic factors which help to maintain the integrity of the arches of the foot?

Answer 24

intrinsic foot muscles
long flexor tendons
tendon of tibialis anterior and fibularis longus

Question 25

what are the passive factors which help to maintain the integrity of the arches of the foot?

Answer 25

shape of the united bones
plantar fascia
long plantar ligament
short plantar ligament

Question 26

what is the role of the arches of the feet?

Answer 26

act as shock absorbers and distribute body weight

Question 27

what factors help maintain the integrity of the plantar arches?

Answer 27

passive factors:

• shape of united bones
• plantar fascia
• long plantaris muscle
• short plantar ligament

dynamic factors;

• intrinsic muscles of the foot
• long flexor tendons
• tendon of tibialis anterior and fibulas longus

Question 28

what is the combined action of tibialis anterior and tibialis posterior?

Answer 28

inversion of the foot