Posterior Leg and Ankle Joint

Question 1

What line on the tibia highlights the popliteal area

Answer 1

Soleal line

Question 2

How many muscles are part of the posterior compartment of the leg

Answer 2

7; 3 superficial and 4 deep

Question 3

What is the common insertion of the superficial muscles

Answer 3

The posterior surface of the calcaneus via the tendocalcaneous

Question 4

Describe the pathway of the deep muscles

Answer 4

They pass behind the medial malleolus to the plantar surface of the foot (except popliteus)

Question 5

Name the superficial muscles of the posterior leg

Answer 5

1. Gastrocnemius
2. Plantaris
3. Soleus

Question 6

How many heads does the gastrocnemius have

Answer 6

2; medial and lateral

Question 7

Describe the proximal attachment of the gastrocnemius

Answer 7

Medial = Popliteal surface of the femur superior to the medial condyle
Lateral = Lateral aspect of the lateral condyle of the femur

Question 8

What nerve innervates the gastrocnmeius

Answer 8

Tibial nerve (S1, 2)

Question 9

What is the action of the gastrocnmeius

Answer 9

Plantarflexes the ankle and flexes the knee

Question 10

What is the proximal attachment of the plantaris

Answer 10

Lateral supracondylar line of the femur

Question 11

What nerve innervates the plantaris

Answer 11

Tibial nerve (S1, 2)

Question 12

What is the action of the plantaris

Answer 12

Assists in plantarflexion of the ankle

Question 13

What is the proximal attachment of the soleus

Answer 13

Soleal line of tibia and the upper 1/3 of the posterior fibula tendinous arch

Question 14

What nerve innervates the soleus

Answer 14

Tibial nerve (S1, 2)

Question 15

What is the action of the soleus

Answer 15

Plantarflexes the ankle

Question 16

Name the deep muscles of the posterior leg

Answer 16

1. Popliteus
2. Flexor digitorum longus
3. Flexor hallucis longus
4. Tibialis posterior

Question 17

Where does the popliteus muscle extend from and to

Answer 17

Lateral condyle of the femur and the lateral meniscus to the popliteal area of the tibia

Question 18

What nerve innervates the popliteus

Answer 18

Tibial nerve (L4, 5, S1)

Question 19

What is the action of the popliteus

Answer 19

Unlocks the knee joint by laterally rotating the femur on the fixed tibia

Question 20

Where does the flexor digitorum longus extend from and to

Answer 20

Posterior surface of tibia to the base of the distal phalynx of digits 2-5

Question 21

What nerve innervates the flexor digitorum longus

Answer 21

Tibial nerve (L5, S1, 2)

Question 22

What is the action of the flexor digitorum longus

Answer 22

Flexes the lateral 4 digits and it is a weak plantarflexor of the ankle

Question 23

Where does the flexor hallucis longus extend from and to

Answer 23

Posterior surface of the fibula to the base of the distal phalynx of the hallux

Question 24

What nerve innervates the flexor hallucis longus

Answer 24

Tibial nerve (L5, S1, 2)

Question 25

What is the action of the flexor hallucis longus

Answer 25

Flexes the hallux and is a weak plantarflexor of the ankle

Question 26

Where does the tibialis posterior extend from

Answer 26

Posterior surface of the tibia and fibula, and the interosseous membrane

Question 27

What is the distal attachment of the tibialis posterior

Answer 27

Tuberosity of navicular, cuneiforms, cuboid, sustentaculum tali of calcaneus, and the base of the 2nd-4th metatarsals

Question 28

What nerve innervates the tibialis posterior

Answer 28

Tibial nerve (L4, 5)

Question 29

What is the action of the tibialis posterior

Answer 29

Plantarflexes the ankle and inverts the foot

Question 30

What is the medial to lateral arrangement of the tendons of the deep muscles at the ankle joint

Answer 30

1. Tibialis posterior
2. Flexor digitorum longus
3. Flexor hallucis longus

Question 31

Where does the flexor retinaculum extend from and to

Answer 31

Medial malleolus to the calcaneus

Question 32

Within the flexor retinaculum where are the posterior tibial vessels found

Answer 32

Between the FDL and FHL tendons

Question 33

What muscles does the posterior tibial artery run along

Answer 33

Deep the soleus along the tibialis posterior and flexor digitorum longus

Question 34

Describe the pathway of the fibular artery

Answer 34

Runs medial to the fibula within the flexor hallucis longus

Question 35

What does the tibial nerve run with down the leg

Answer 35

The posterior tibial artery

Question 36

Name the terminal branches of the tibial nerve

Answer 36

1. Medial plantar nerve

2. Lateral plantar nerve

Question 37

What ligaments hold the inferior tibiofibular joint together

Answer 37

1. Anterior tibiofibular
2. Interosseuous
3. Posterior tibiofibular

Question 38

Name the arch that forms at the distal ends of the tibia and fibula, which articulates with the talus

Answer 38

Malleolar mortise

Question 39

What part of the talus articulates with the malleolar mortise

Answer 39

The trochlea of the talus

Question 40

What type of flexion is more stable at the ankle joint; and why

Answer 40

Dorsiflexion; wider part of the talus is wedged into other bones

Question 41

Where are the strong collateral ligaments of the ankle located

Answer 41

Laterally and medially

Question 42

Name the lateral collateral ligaments of the ankle joint

Answer 42

1. Anterior talofibular
2. Posterior talofibular
3. Calcaneofibular

Question 43

Where do the lateral collateral ligaments of the ankle joint extend from

Answer 43

The fibula

Question 44

What is the medial collateral ligament of the ankle joint called

Answer 44

The deltoid ligament

Question 45

Where does the deltoid ligament fan out from

Answer 45

The medial malleolus

Question 46

Name the 4 parts of the deltoid ligament

Answer 46

1. Anterior tibiotalar
2. Tibionavicular
3. Tibiocalcaneal
4. Posterior tibiotalar

Question 47

During what action does the medial collateral ligament of the ankle stabilise, and thus prevent

Answer 47

During eversion it prevents subluxation (partial dislocation) of the ankle joint