Posterior Leg Flashcards
How many compartments in the thigh are there?
3
What are the 3 compartments of the thigh?
Anterior, posterior, and lateral
How many sub-compartments is the posterior compartment of the thigh broken up into?
- The posterior superficial and posterior deep
Structures in a compartment of the leg share what?
Same general function, same nerve, and same artery/vein
What is the general function of the anterior compartment?
Extension at the knee
What is the nerve of the anterior compartment?
Femoral nerve
What is the general function of the posterior compartment of the thigh?
Flexion at the knee
What is the nerve of the posterior compartment of the thigh?
The sciatic nerve
What is the general function of the lateral compartment of the thigh?
Abduction of the hip
What is the nerve of the lateral compartment of the thigh?
Obturator nerve
How many posterior groups of the leg are there? What are they?
- The superficial posterior group and the deep posterior group
What makes up the superficial posterior group of the leg? (3 muscles)
Gastrocnemius, plantaris, and soleus (GPS)
What makes up the deep posterior group of the leg? (4 muscles)
Popliteus, flexor hallucis longus, flexor digitorum longus, tibialis posterior
Gastrocnemius origin and insertion?
O: Superior to medial femoral condyle (medial head), superior to lateral femoral condyle (lateral head)
I: Posterior surface of calaneous via the achilles tendon
What is the other name for the achilles tendon?
tendo calcaneus
Fabella
Lateral head of gastrocnemius may have sesamoid bone close to its proximal attachments. A painful fabellar stress fracture may accompany a total knee replacement
Soleus origin and insertion
O: The soleal line of the tibia & fibula.
I: Achilles Tendon
Triceps surae is made of what?
The soleus and 2 heads of the gastrocnemius
Action of surae
Plantarflexion
Plantaris action
Weak plantar flexion and flexion at the knee. Proposed to have proprioceptive ability due to high amount of proprioceptive receptors.