Lower Limb - Posterior Compartment of the Leg (1)

Question 1

Name the two sub-compartments of the posterior compartment of the leg, and name all the muscles in each sub-compartment.

Answer 1

Superficial group: Soleus, Gastrocnemius, Plantaris.

Deep group: Popliteus, FDL, FHL, Tibialis Posterior.

Question 2

What separates the two sub-compartments of the posterior compartment?

Answer 2

Transverse intermuscular septum.

Question 3

What are the proximal attachments of the two heads of gastrocnemius?

Answer 3

Medial head: just superior to the medial condyle of the femur.
Lateral head: just superior to the lateral condyle of the femur.

Question 4

What is the proximal attachment of the soleus?

Answer 4

Head of fibula, and also some of tibia.

Question 5

Which bone has the proximal attachment of the plantaris?

Answer 5

Femur.

Question 6

What is the calcaneal tendon?

Answer 6

This is the Achilles tendon. It is the convergence of all superficial posterior muscles, and the common distal attachment is to the calcaneus.

Question 7

What is the innervation to the posterior compartment of the leg?

Answer 7

Tibial nerve. (supplies all muscles, superior and deep).

Question 8

Apart from the popliteus, what is the common course of all distal tendons of the deep sub-compartment of the posterior compartment?

Answer 8

The tendons of FHL, FDL and Tibialis Posterior all pass together behind the medial malleolus and then to the underside of the foot.

Question 9

Which two muscles act synergistically together to invert the foot?

Answer 9

Tibialis Anterior and Tibialis Posterior.