Q8-2. Crural Fascia/Retinacula Flashcards
Define crural fascia.
Deep fascia completely surrounding the leg.
What is the crural fascia continuous with superiorly?
The fascia lata (of the thigh)
What is the popliteal fascia formed from?
The posterior blending of the crural fascia and the fascia lata with the thigh.
What is the crural fascia continuous with posteriorly?
The fascia over the foot.
What structures are formed by the crural fascia?
- Osteofascial compartments
- Retinacula
(Bonus: popliteal fossa is formed by the blending of the crural fascia and the fascia lata of the thigh.)
In addition to forming the osteofascial compartments and the retinacula, what other purpose can deep fascia serve?
Muscle attachment site
What are the three osteofascial compartments of the leg?
- Anterior
- Posterior (2 subcompartments in 1)
- Lateral
What three fibrous sheets divide the leg into the three osteofascial compartments?
- Anterior crural intermuscular septum
- Posterior crural intermuscular septum
- Interosseous membrane
What are the contents of the anterior compartment of the leg?
Muscles:
- Extensor digitorum longus
- Extensor hallucis longus
- Tibialis Anterior
- Peroneus Tertius
Neurovascular:
- Anterior tibial artery/veins
- Deep Fibular Nerve
What are the contents of the lateral compartment of the leg?
Muscles:
- Peroneus longus
- Peroneus brevis
Neurovascular:
- Superficial fibular nerve
* *no artery or vein runs w/in this compartment–> blood supply comes from the anterior tibial and fibular arteries
How is the posterior osteofascial compartment divided?
Two sub-compartments:
- Deep
- Superficial
The deep transverse intermuscular septum runs from the medial border and soleal line of the tibia–> medial crest of the fibula and the posterior crural intermuscular septum
**Add picture!!
What are the contents of the superficial posterior compartment of the leg?
Muscles:
- Gastrocnemius
- Plantaris
- Soleus
What are the contents of the deep posterior compartment of the leg?
Muscles:
- Flexor hallucis longus
- Flexor digitorum longus
- Tibialis posterior
- Popliteus
Neurovascular:
- Fibular Artery & Vein
- Posterior Tibial Artery
- Tibial Nerve
What is compartment syndrome?
Any condition causing swelling w/in a compartment, which increases intracompartmental pressure–> can in turn reduce blood supply to surrounding structure.
Keep in mind that because the crural fascia is dense and inelastic, it does not yield to swelling.
Which compartment is most susceptible to compartment syndrome?
Anterior compartment–> largely bounded by bone