Superficial group of muscles in the posterior compartment of leg

Question 1

Gastrocnemius

Answer 1

Origin:

• Medial head - Posterior surface of distal femur just superior to medial condyle
• Lateral head - upper posterolateral surface of lateral femoral condyle

Insertion:

• Via calcaneal tendon, to posterior surface of calcaneus

Innervation:

• Tibial nerve (S1, S2)

Function:

• Plantarflexes foot and flexes knee

Question 2

Plantaris

Answer 2

Origin:

• Inferior part of the lateral supracondyler line of femur and oblique popliteal ligament of knee

Insertion:

• Via calcaneal tendon, to posterior surface of calcaneus

Innervation:

• Tibial nerve (S1 ,S2)

Function:

• Plantarflexus foot and flexes knee

Question 3

Soleus

Answer 3

Origin:

• Soleal line and medial border of tibia, posterior aspect of fibular head and adjacent surfaces of neck and proximal shaft, tendinous arch between finial and fibular attachments

Insertion:

• Via calcaneal tendon, to posterior surface of calcaneus

Innervation:

• Tibial nerve (S1, S2)

Function:

• Plantarflexes the foot