Posterior Leg Flashcards
The posterior leg is innervated by the…
Tibial nerve
The superficial muscles of the posterior leg insert…
Into the calcaneum via the calcaneal tendon
The deep muscles of the posterior leg insert…
Inferior to the medial malleolus
What action does the superficial muscles of the posterior leg perform?
Plantarflexion
What action does the deep muscles of the posterior leg perform?
Foot inversion
What are the 3 superior muscles of the posterior leg?
Gastrocnemius, Soleus and plantaris
What are the origins of the gastrocnemius?
Medial and lateral condyles of femur
What are the functions of the gastrocnemius?
Plantarflexion and Flexion at knee
What is the origin and insertion of the Soleus muscle?
Origin - soleal line of tibia and superior fibula
Insert - calcaneal tendon
What is the function of the Soleus muscle?
Plantarflexion
What is the origin of the plantaris muscle?
Inferior lateral supracondylar line of femur
Name the 3 deep muscles of the posterior leg.
Tibialis posterior, flexor hallucis longus and flexor digitorum longus
What are the functions of the tibialis posterior?
Plantarflexion and foot inversion
What are the functions of the flexor hallucis longus muscle?
Flexion of hallucis and maintains medial arch of foot
What are the functions of the flexor digitorum longus?
Flexion of lateral 4 digits and maintains longitudinal arch
What are the origins of the tibialis posterior?
Superior posterior tibia, fibula (inferior to soleal line) and the interosseus membrane
Name the structures posterior to the medial malleolus heading posteriorly.
Tibialis posterior, flexor digitorum longus, posterior tibial artery, posterior tibial vein, tibial nerve, flexor hallucis longus
Describe the course of the tibial nerve
Branches from sciatic nerve at apex of popliteal fossa, runs posterior to tibia and posterior to medial malleolus
Describe the Simmond’s/Thompsons test
Patient kneels, relaxes leg muscles, squeeze posterior calf, foot should plantarflex. Positive sign indicates calcaneal tendon damage
