Posterior Leg Flashcards
Popliteus
Origin: lateral aspect of lateral condyle of femur and lateral meniscus
Insertion: posterior tibia superior to soleal line
Innervation: tibial nerve
Blood Supply: inferior medial and lateral genicular arteries
Action: weakly flexes knee and unlocks it by rotating femur on fixed tibia
Plantaris
Origin: inferior end of lateral supracondylar line of femur and oblique popliteal ligament
Insertion: posterior aspect of calcaneus via calcaneal tendon
Innervation: tibial nerve
Blood Supply: popliteal artery
Action: weakly assists gastrocnemius
Gastrocnemius
Origin:
- lateral head: lateral aspect of lateral condyle of femur
- medial head: popliteal surface above medial condyle of femur
Insertion: posterior aspect of calcaneus via calcaneal tendon
Innervation: tibial nerve
Blood Supply: popliteal and posterior tibial arteries
Action: plantarflexes foot at ankle, assists in flexion of knee, and raises heel during walking
Soleus
Origin: posterior aspect of head of fibula, proximal 1/4 of posterior surface of fibula, soleal line of tibia
Insertion: posterior aspect of calcaneus via calcaneal tendon
Innervation: tibial nerve
Blood Supply: popliteal, posterior tibial and fibial arteries
Action: plantarflexes foot at ankle and stabilizes leg over foot
Tibialis Posterior
Origin: posterior tibia below soleal line, interosseous membrane, proximal 1/2 of posterior fibula
Insertion: tuberosity of navicular bone, all cuneiforms, cuboid, and bases of 2nd through 4th metatarsals
Innervation: tibial nerve
Blood Supply: fibular artery
Action: plantarflexes foot at ankle and inverts foot
Flexor Hallucis Longus
Origin: distal 2/3 of posterior fibula and interosseous membrane
Insertion: base of distal phalanx of great toe
Innervation: tibial nerve
Blood Supply: fibular artery
Action: flexes all joints of great toe and weakly plantarflexes foot at ankle
Flexor Digitorum Longus
Origin: medial part of posterior tibia inferior to soleal line
Insertion: plantar bases of distal phalanges of lateral 4 digits
Innervation: tibial nerve
Blood Supply: posterior tibial artery
Action: flexes lateral 4 digits and plantarflexes foot at ankle; supports longitudinal arches of foot
