Muscles of the posterior leg

Question 1

What are the muscles of the posterior leg?

Answer 1

• Gastrocnemius
• Soleus
• Plantaris
• Popliteus
• Flexor Hallicus longus
• Flexor digitorum longus
• Tibialis posterior

Question 2

What are the origin and insertion of gastrocnemius?

Answer 2

• Origin: (Lateral head) Lateral aspect of lateral condyle of femur; (medial head) popliteal surface of femur, superior ot medial condyle
• Insertion: Posterior surface of calcaneus, via calcaneal tendon

Question 3

What is the action of gastrocnemius?

Answer 3

• Plantarflexes the foot at the ankle
• Raises heel during walking
• Flexes leg at knee joint

Question 4

What are the origin and insertion of soleus?

Answer 4

• Origin: Posterior aspect of head of fibula, superior quarter of posterior surface of fibula, soleal line, medial border of tibia
• Insertion: Posterior surface of calcaneus via calcaneal tendon

Question 5

What is the action of soleus?

Answer 5

• Plantarflexes foot at ankle

- Steadies leg on foot

Question 6

What are the origin and insertion of plantaris?

Answer 6

• Origin: Inferior end of lateral supracondylar line of femur and oblique popliteal ligament
• Insertion: Posterior surface of calcaneus via calcaneal tendon

Question 7

What is the action of plantaris?

Answer 7

• Weakly assists gastrocnemius in plantarflexing foot at the ankle and flexing the knee

Question 8

What are the origin and insertion of popliteus?

Answer 8

• Origin: Lateral condyle of femur and lateral meniscus

- Insertion: Posterior surface of tibia, superior to soleal line

Question 9

What is the action of popliteus?

Answer 9

Weakly flexes leg at the knee and unlocks it

Question 10

What are the origin and insertion of FHL?

Answer 10

• Origin: Inferior two thirds of posterior surface of fibula and inferior interosseous membrane
• Insertion: Base of distal phalanx of great toe

Question 11

What is the action of FHL?

Answer 11

• Flexes great toe at all joints
• Plantarflexes foot at anke
• Supports longitudinal arches of foot

Question 12

What are the origin and insertion of FDL?

Answer 12

• Origin: Medial part of posterior surface of tibia, inferior to soleal line, and from fascia covering tibialis posterior
• Insertion: Bases of distal phalanges of lateral four digits

Question 13

What is the action of FDL?

Answer 13

• Flexes lateral four digits
• Plantarflexes foot at ankle
• Supports longitudinal arches of foot

Question 14

What are the origin and insertion of Tibialis posterior?

Answer 14

• Origin: Interosseous membrane, posterior surface of tibia inferior ot soleal line, posterior surface of fibula
• Insertion: Tuberosity of navicular, cuneiform and cuboid, and bases of metatarsals 2,3,4.

Question 15

What is the action of tibialis posterior?

Answer 15

• Plantarflexes foot at ankle

- Inverts foot