Posterior Leg and Ankle Joint Flashcards
What line on the tibia highlights the popliteal area
Soleal line
How many muscles are part of the posterior compartment of the leg
7; 3 superficial and 4 deep
What is the common insertion of the superficial muscles
The posterior surface of the calcaneus via the tendocalcaneous
Describe the pathway of the deep muscles
They pass behind the medial malleolus to the plantar surface of the foot (except popliteus)
Name the superficial muscles of the posterior leg
- Gastrocnemius
- Plantaris
- Soleus
How many heads does the gastrocnemius have
2; medial and lateral
Describe the proximal attachment of the gastrocnemius
Medial = Popliteal surface of the femur superior to the medial condyle Lateral = Lateral aspect of the lateral condyle of the femur
What nerve innervates the gastrocnmeius
Tibial nerve (S1, 2)
What is the action of the gastrocnmeius
Plantarflexes the ankle and flexes the knee
What is the proximal attachment of the plantaris
Lateral supracondylar line of the femur
What nerve innervates the plantaris
Tibial nerve (S1, 2)
What is the action of the plantaris
Assists in plantarflexion of the ankle
What is the proximal attachment of the soleus
Soleal line of tibia and the upper 1/3 of the posterior fibula tendinous arch
What nerve innervates the soleus
Tibial nerve (S1, 2)
What is the action of the soleus
Plantarflexes the ankle
Name the deep muscles of the posterior leg
- Popliteus
- Flexor digitorum longus
- Flexor hallucis longus
- Tibialis posterior
Where does the popliteus muscle extend from and to
Lateral condyle of the femur and the lateral meniscus to the popliteal area of the tibia
What nerve innervates the popliteus
Tibial nerve (L4, 5, S1)
What is the action of the popliteus
Unlocks the knee joint by laterally rotating the femur on the fixed tibia
Where does the flexor digitorum longus extend from and to
Posterior surface of tibia to the base of the distal phalynx of digits 2-5
What nerve innervates the flexor digitorum longus
Tibial nerve (L5, S1, 2)
What is the action of the flexor digitorum longus
Flexes the lateral 4 digits and it is a weak plantarflexor of the ankle
Where does the flexor hallucis longus extend from and to
Posterior surface of the fibula to the base of the distal phalynx of the hallux
What nerve innervates the flexor hallucis longus
Tibial nerve (L5, S1, 2)
What is the action of the flexor hallucis longus
Flexes the hallux and is a weak plantarflexor of the ankle
Where does the tibialis posterior extend from
Posterior surface of the tibia and fibula, and the interosseous membrane
What is the distal attachment of the tibialis posterior
Tuberosity of navicular, cuneiforms, cuboid, sustentaculum tali of calcaneus, and the base of the 2nd-4th metatarsals
What nerve innervates the tibialis posterior
Tibial nerve (L4, 5)
What is the action of the tibialis posterior
Plantarflexes the ankle and inverts the foot
What is the medial to lateral arrangement of the tendons of the deep muscles at the ankle joint
- Tibialis posterior
- Flexor digitorum longus
- Flexor hallucis longus
Where does the flexor retinaculum extend from and to
Medial malleolus to the calcaneus
Within the flexor retinaculum where are the posterior tibial vessels found
Between the FDL and FHL tendons
What muscles does the posterior tibial artery run along
Deep the soleus along the tibialis posterior and flexor digitorum longus
Describe the pathway of the fibular artery
Runs medial to the fibula within the flexor hallucis longus
What does the tibial nerve run with down the leg
The posterior tibial artery
Name the terminal branches of the tibial nerve
- Medial plantar nerve
2. Lateral plantar nerve
What ligaments hold the inferior tibiofibular joint together
- Anterior tibiofibular
- Interosseuous
- Posterior tibiofibular
Name the arch that forms at the distal ends of the tibia and fibula, which articulates with the talus
Malleolar mortise
What part of the talus articulates with the malleolar mortise
The trochlea of the talus
What type of flexion is more stable at the ankle joint; and why
Dorsiflexion; wider part of the talus is wedged into other bones
Where are the strong collateral ligaments of the ankle located
Laterally and medially
Name the lateral collateral ligaments of the ankle joint
- Anterior talofibular
- Posterior talofibular
- Calcaneofibular
Where do the lateral collateral ligaments of the ankle joint extend from
The fibula
What is the medial collateral ligament of the ankle joint called
The deltoid ligament
Where does the deltoid ligament fan out from
The medial malleolus
Name the 4 parts of the deltoid ligament
- Anterior tibiotalar
- Tibionavicular
- Tibiocalcaneal
- Posterior tibiotalar
During what action does the medial collateral ligament of the ankle stabilise, and thus prevent
During eversion it prevents subluxation (partial dislocation) of the ankle joint
