Popliteal Fossa and Posterior Compartment Muscles of Leg

Question 1

Boundaries of the Popliteal Fossa

Answer 1

Biceps Femoris, Semimembranosus, Semitendinosus, Medial and Lateral gastrocnemius heads
Floor- popliteal surface of femur, popliteus, and oblique popliteal ligament

Question 2

Contents of Popliteal Fossa

Answer 2

Small Saphenous vein, Popliteal artery and vein, Tibial N, Common Fibular (Peroneal) N, Posterior Femoral Cutaneous N, Sural Cutaneous N

Question 3

Gastrocnemius

Answer 3

O: Lat H- Lateral Condyle / Med H- Medial Condyle of femur
I: Posterior Calcaneus
A: Plantar Flexion, flex leg at knee
Inn: Tibial N

Question 4

Soleus

Answer 4

O: Post Head of fibular, solar line and medial border of tib
I: Post Calc
A: Plantar flex, steadies leg on foot
Inn: Tibial N

Question 5

Plantaris

Answer 5

O: Lateral supracondylar line of femur
I: Posterior Calcaneus
A: Weak assist plantarflexion and flex knee
Inn: Tibial N

Question 6

Popliteus

Answer 6

O: Lateral Condyle of femur and lateral meniscus
I: Posterior Surface of Tibia
A: Weakly flex knee and unlocks it
Inn: Tibial N

Question 7

Flexor Digitorum Longus

Answer 7

O: Medial Posterior surface of Tibia
I: Bases of distal Phalanges (lateral 4)
A: Flex Lateral 4 Digits, plantar flex ankle, supports longitudinal arch
Inn: Tibial N

Question 8

Flexor Hallucis Longus

Answer 8

O: Inferior 2/3 post. fibula & Interosseous membrane
I: Base of distal phalanx of great toe
A: Flex great toe, weak plantar flex, supports medial longitudinal arch
Inn: Tibial N

Question 9

Tibialis Posterior

Answer 9

O: Interosseous membrane, post. tibia and fibula
I: Navicular, calcaneus, cuneiforms, cuboid, and 2,3,4 bases of metatarsals
A: Plantar flex and inversion, supports transverse arch
Inn: Tibial N

Question 10

What bone/area does the fibular N wind around?

Answer 10

Common Fibular winds around the fibular neck before dividing into terminal branches
-Also known as peroneal N

Question 11

What makes up the Sural N and where does it enter the foot?

Answer 11

• Made up of branches from both Tibial N and Common Fibular N.
• Follows small saphenous vein and enters foot POSTERIOR TO LATERAL MALLEOLUS

Question 12

What are varicose veins?

Answer 12

Veins where the valves no longer close causing pooling of blood

• Usually in GSV and its branches
• Prone for those who stand all day

Question 13

What is deep vein thrombosis?

Answer 13

Blood Clots aka pulmonary embolism

• caused by prolonged sitting, bed rest, obesity, etc
• May see swelling, red skin, pain in leg

Question 14

Between which two muscles does Anterior Tibial A descend?

Answer 14

Tibialis Anterior and Extensor Digitorum Longus

Question 15

When does the Anterior Tibial A become the Dorsal Pedis A?

Answer 15

inferior to extensor retinaculum

Question 16

What is Foot Drop? Causes? Symptoms?

Answer 16

• Injury to fibular N
• Stroke, Break of Fibula @ Neck, L4-5 injury, Tumor, Diabetes, MS
• Paralysis of Dorsiflexors and Evertors; can’t heel strike.