Muscles of the posterior leg

Question 1

Where does the gastrocnemius muscle attach?

Answer 1

• the two heads attach to the posterior aspect of the femoral condyles
• distally it forms a tendon that attaches to the calcaneus (heel bone)

Question 2

What structure is highlighted in green, and what is it a branch of?

Answer 2

1. the sural nerve
2. it is the cutaneous branch of the tibial nerve

Question 3

What are the functions of the flexor hallicus longus?

Answer 3

Flexion of the big toe

flexion of the ankle joint

Question 4

What nerve supplies the deep and superficial posterior leg compartments?

Answer 4

Tibial nerve

Question 5

What muscles make up the superficial compartment of the posterior compartment of the leg?

Answer 5

1. Gastrocnemius
2. Soleus
3. Plantaris

Question 6

What muscle is this?

Answer 6

Flexor hallicus longus

Question 7

What structure is highlighted here?

Answer 7

The archilles tendon (aka calcaneal tendon)

Question 8

Where does the tibialis posterior attach?

Answer 8

1. the tibia
2. the medial aspect of the foot

Question 9

What is this area known as?

Answer 9

The popliteal fossa

Question 10

What are the attachments for soleus?

Answer 10

• proximal tibia and fibula
• blends with the tendon of gastrocnemius to attach to the calcaneus

Question 11

What are the functions of the flexor digitorum longus?

Answer 11

• flex the lateral 4 digits
• flex the ankle

Question 12

What muscles make up the deep compartment of the posterior leg compartment?

Answer 12

• flexor hallicus longus
• flexor digitorum longus
• tibialis posterior

Question 13

What muscle is this?

Answer 13

Soleus

Question 14

What tendon is formed from the soleus, the gastrocnemius and the plantaris muscles?

Answer 14

The archilles muscle (aka calcaneal tendon)

Question 15

What are the actions of the gastrocnemius muscle?

Answer 15

• Knee flexion
• ankle flexion (plantar flexion)

Question 16

What are the functions of the tibialis posterior?

Answer 16

• flexion of the ankle (plantarflexion)
• inversion

Question 17

What muscle is this?

Answer 17

gastrocnemius

Question 18

Which structures run through the popliteal fossa?

Answer 18

• The popliteal artery
• The popliteal vein
• The tibial and common peroneal nerves

Question 19

What structures form the inferior border of the popliteal fossa?

Answer 19

The medial and lateral heads of the gastrocnemius muscle

Question 20

What muscle is this?

Answer 20

Flexor digitorum longus

Question 21

What muscle is this?

Answer 21

Tibialis posterior

Question 22

What muscle is this?

Answer 22

Plantaris