Muscles Of The Leg Flashcards
Quadriceps
These four muscles as a group are the major extensors of the knee
The most palpable structure on anterior surface of the knee
The quadriceps tendon attaches to the interior aspect of the proximal tibia
The patella (knee) is in the quadriceps tendon

Hamstrings
The three major hamstring muscles are the major flexors of the knee
Have some action in extending the hip
Hamstring muscles start at the ischial tuberosity on the pelvis and attach on the tibia and fibula distal to the knee
Most palpable structures on the posterior aspect of the thigh
Gastrocnemius
Location: calf muscle
Pulls the foot down and flexes the knee joint
Soleus
Location: originates at upper portion of fibula (also in the calf)
Bends the foot down
Gastrocnemius & Soleus
The gastrocnemius and soleus are the major plantar flexors of the ankle
They form the bulk of the calf
Together they form the Achilles’ tendon which attaches at the heel
Flexors
The muscles that flex the big toe
Deep to the Soleus and gastrocnemius
Extensor (Digitorum Longus)
Location: anterior of tibia
Bends the foot upwards and extends the toes
Extensors
The muscle that extends the toes
deep to the muscles of the anterior lower leg
Tibialis Anterior
Location: covers front of shin
Superficial muscle of the shin which runs along the lateral border of the tibia
It’s Dorsi flexes and inverts the ankle (Bends foot upward and inward)
Peroneus Longus
Location: covers the outside of the calf
Inverts the foot and turns it outward
Plantar fascia
The sole of the foot is covered by tough fascial structure
Attaches on the plantar surface of the calcaneus and to the plantar surface of the metatarsal heads
All the muscles on the soleof the foot are deep to the fascia
Pes planus (flat feet)
Collapse of the arches of the foot
May be functional - arch is flat when weight is put on the foot but resume normal arch when weight is removed
May be structural - arch is flat even with no weight on the foot
CAUSE:
improper gait, heredity, arthritis, injury (I.e ankle fracture), may be secondary to other abnormal leg structure, overuse in standing or walking, footwear that does not support the arches
SIGNS/SYMPTOMS:
pain in foot - especially after walking or standing, loss of “spring” when walking, foot is “valgus” (toes point outwards and the medial malleolus drops inward and inferiorly)
Plantar fasciitis
Pain and tenderness in the plantar aspect of the foot (arch/heel) caused by inflammation of the plantar fascia
CAUSE:
- Overuse - long hours of standing/ walking
- shoes without proper support
- Common in people with flat feet and arthritis
Signs & symptoms: pain in the heel of the foot or in the arch, usually most painful in the morning or on first contact with the floor, pain at the end of the day after a lot of walking or standing, a heel spur may develop where the fascia attaches to the calcaneus
Pes Cavus (claw foot/ Hollow foot)
Arch of the foot is exaggerated— abnormally high due to dropping of the metatarsal heads rather than the actual arch
claw toes or hammer toes are common with this
CAUSE:
Heredity, plantar fascia, arthritis, paralysis of flexor muscles of toes, muscle atrophy due to long bed-rest
SIGNS/SYMPTOMS:
- Foot pain in metatarsal heads
- Restricted heel joint movement
- Foot is inverted and supinated
Hammer toes/ Claw toes
Toes are curled up so that the knuckle is raised and the tip of the toe touches the floor
CAUSES:
- complication of Pes cavus
- heredity
- poor footwear
SIGNS/SYMPTOMS:
- could be painless
- pain may be felt when toe knuckles are rubbed or compressed by footwear
- calluses may form where rubbing occurs from footwear
