Posterior Leg Flashcards
What tendon occupies the groove on the bottom of the sustentaculum tali of the calcaneus?
Tendon of the Flexor Hallucis Longus
What two bones does the spring ligament run between?
What arch does the spring ligament support?
(AKA Plantar Calcaneonavicular Ligament)
Calcaneus and Navicular
(Supports Medial Longitudinal Arch)
What separates the anterior and lateral compartments of the posterior leg?
The anterior septum
What separates the lateral and posterior compartments of the leg?
The posterior septum
What separates the anterior and posterior compartments of the leg?
Interosseous Membrane
What separates the posterior superficial and posterior deep compartments of the posterior leg?
The transverse septum
What is the thick fascia that surrounds the leg?
Crural Fascia
What muscles are found in the superficial posterior compartment?
- Gastrocnemius Muscle (2 heads)
- Soleus Muscle
- Plantaris Muscle
The triceps surae are the two heads of the gastrocnemius and soleus muscles.
Gastrocnemius Muscle
What are its attachments?
Origin: Lateral femoral condyle (lateral head) and Popliteal surface superior to medial femoral condyle (medial head)
Insertion: Posterior Surface of Calcaneus
-via Tendon of Calcaneus (Achilles Tendon)
Gastrocnemius Muscle
What is its actions?
- Plantar Flexion
- Flexes leg at knee joint
Gastrocnemius Muscle
What is its innervation and blood supply?
Innervation: Tibial Nerve
Blood Supply: Posterior Tibial Artery
What rare small bone can be found on the lateral head of the gastrocnemius?
What is its clinical signficance?
Fabella: can provide leverage for lateral head
Painful fabellar stress fracture can accompany total knee replacement
Soleus Muscle
What are its attachments?
Origin: Posterior aspect of the Fibula and Soleal Line of Tibia
Insertion: Posterior Surface of Calcaneus
-via Tendon of Calcaneus (Achilles Tendon)
Soleus Muscle
What is its actions?
Plantar Flexion
Soleus Muscle
What is its innervation and blood supply?
Innervation: Tibial Nerve
Blood Supply: Posterior Tibial Artery
Plantaris Muscle
What are its attachments?
Origin: Inferior lateral supracondylar line of femur
Insertion: Posterior Surface of Calcaneus
- via Tendon of Calcaneus (Achilles Tendon)
- Looks like a nerve but its not!!*
Plantaris Muscle
What is its actions?
- Proprioception for
- Weak plantarflexion
- Weak leg flexion
Plantaris Muscle
What is its innervation and blood supply?
Innervation: Tibial Nerve
Blood Supply: Posterior Tibial Artery
What can the plantaris muscle be used for?
Reconstructive surgery of hand tendons
Removing it doesn’t affect leg that much