Superficial and deep muscles of the calf (dave's notes)

Question 1

List the superficial muscles of the calf

Answer 1

Gastrocnemius
Plantaris
Soleus

Question 2

List the deep muscles of the calf

Answer 2

Flexor digitorum longus
Flexor hallucis longus
Tibialis posterior

Question 3

What is the origin and insertion of gastrocnemius

Answer 3

Origin: Lateral head from teh posterior surface of the lateral condule of femur, and lateral condule. Medial head from the posterior surface of femur above the medial condyle.
Insertion: Tendon achilles to middle of 3 facets on teh posterior surface of calcaneus

Question 4

What is the origin and insertion of plantaris?

Answer 4

Origin: Lateral supracondylar ridge of femur above the lateral head of gastrocnemius
Insertion : Tendon achilles (medial side deep to gastrocnemius tendon)

Question 5

What is the origin and insertion of soleus?

Answer 5

Origin: Soleal line and middle 1/3rd of posterior border of tibia and upper quarter of posterior shaft of fibula including the neck.
Insertion: Tendo achilles to middle three facets on the posterior surface of calcaneus

Question 6

What is the origin and insertion of flexor digitorum longus?

Answer 6

Origin: Posterior shaft of tibia below soleal line (and by a broad aponeuroses from the fibula).
Insertion: Base of distal phalanges of lateral four toes.

Question 7

What is the origin and insertion of flexor hallucis longus?

Answer 7

Origin: Lower 2/3rds of posterior fibula between medial crest and posterior border, lower intermuscular septum and interosseus membrane.
Insertion: Base of distal phalanx of teh big toe , flexes teh foot at the ankle, supports the medial longitudinal arch.

Question 8

What is the origin and insertion of tibialis posterior?

Answer 8

Origin: Upper 1/2 of posterior shaft of teh tibia and upper half of the fibula between the median crest and the interosseous border and interosseous membrane.
Insertion: Tuberosity of navicular bone and all tarsal bones and bases of metatarsal 2-4

Question 9

What is the action and innervation of gastrocnemius? What is the specialised function of gastrocnemius?

Answer 9

Action: Plantarflexes teh foot, flexes teh knee.
Nerve: Tibial nerve
Main propulsive force for jumping.

Question 10

What is the action and innervation of plantaris?

Answer 10

Action: Plantarflexes the foot and flexes the knee.
Nerve: Tibial nerve

Question 11

What is the action and innervation of soleus? What is the specialised function of soleus?

Answer 11

Action: Plantarflexes foot and aids venous return.
Nerve: tibial nerve
Main propulsive force for walking and running.

Question 12

What is the action and innervation of flexor digitorum longus?

Answer 12

Flexes distal phalanges of the lateral four toes adn foot at teh ankle. Supports the lateral longitudinal arch.
Nerve: tibial nerve

Question 13

What is the action and innervation of flexor hallucis longus?

Answer 13

Action: Flexes the distal phalanx of teh big toe, flexes teh foot at the ankle, supports the longitudinal arch
Nerve is teh tibial nerve

Question 14

What is the action and innervation of tibialis posterior?

Answer 14

Action: Plantar flexes teh foot and inverts the foot. Supports the medial longitudinal arch of the foot.
nerve: Tibial nerve.

Question 15

What additional tendons does flexor digitorum longus receive and give off?

Answer 15

The medial two tendons recevei slips from flexor hallucis longus and all four receive insertion of flexor accessorius and each gives a lumbrical.