The Leg

Question 1

What function do the tibia and fibula head serve?
Which of the two bones is palpable on the side of the leg?
What are the malleolus and which is longer?

Answer 1

Wide attachment site for muscles.
Fibula
Melleolus “hooks” Bones that protrude, allow for pivoting. Fibula extends further inferior.

Question 2

What is the membrane that connects the fibula and tibia.

Answer 2

Interosseous Membrane.

Question 3

Name the 3 compartments of the leg, # of muscles.

Answer 3

Posterior: 3 superficial m, 4 deep m,
Lateral: 2 m.
Anterior: 4 m.

Question 4

Posterior compartment
Name the 3 muscles of superficial portion.
Name the 4 muscles of the deep portion.
Function?
Nerve?
Blood supply?

Answer 4

Super:
Gastrocnemius m.: flexor of leg.
Soleus
Plantaris: weak flexor of leg.
Deep:
Popliteus 
Tibialis posterior 
Flexor digitorum longus
Flexor hallucis longus
F: Plantar flexion
N: Tibial n.
Art.: Posterior tibial art., Peroneal (Fibular) art.

Question 5

Gastrocnemius
Attachments
Function
nerve
What makes it special? 2

Answer 5

A: Medial femoral condyle, Lateral femoral condyle (two heads)–Calcaneal tendon.
F: Plants flex at ankle, weak knee flexor
N: Tibial n.
It has two heads, and it crosses the knee joint.

Question 6

Describe plantar flexion and Dorsal flexion

Answer 6

Plantar flexion–on toes–releve.

Dorsal flexion–bend to front of leg.

Question 7

Describe the calcaneal tendon.

Answer 7

Strong, fibers twist around. Make it strong in multiple directions.

Question 8

Plantaris
Attachments:
Function
Nerve
Where is its body? Where does it lie? What does it look like?

Answer 8

A: Lateral Femoral Condyle–Calcaneal tendon
F: Plantar Flex at ankle, weak knee flexer.
N: Tibial N.
Body is at popliteal fossa. In between the Gastrocnemius and Plantaris. Looks like a nerve…especially on the cadaver.

Question 9

Soleus
Attachemtns
Function
Nerve
Positional relationship to gastroc. 
Distinct shape?

Answer 9

A: Posterior Fibular Head, Medial border of Tibia--Calcaneal Tendon.
F: Plantar flex at ankle.
N: Tibial n.
Deep to gastroc.
Shaped like a fish.

Question 10

Deep muscles
Funciton
Nerve
Art. supply
Tendon route
Where are they palpable?

Answer 10

Act on foot and/or toes
Nerve supply from tibial n.
Art. supply from posterior tibial and peroneal art.
Tendons pass posterior to medial malleolus.
Palpable behind malleolus.

Question 11

What is the Thompson test?

Answer 11

Squeezing the gastroc. muscle should cause plantarflexion in the calcaneal tendon.

Question 12

Popliteus
A
F
N

Answer 12

A: Lateral Femoral Condyle–Posterior Tibia
F: “unlocks” the knee joint. Pivot mechanism.
N: Tibial n.

Question 13

What are the Tom Dick and Harry muscles?

Answer 13

Tibialis posterior
flexor Digitorum
flexor Hallucis longus

Question 14

Tibialis posterior
A
F
N

Answer 14

A: Interosseous membrane–Plantar foot, medial side. (posterior to malleolus to beneath foot, toes 1-2-3.)
F: Inversion and plantarflexion of the foot (pull foot in)
N: Tibial n.

Question 15

Flexor digitorum
A
F
N

Answer 15

A: Medial side of posterior tibia. (sits lateral to posterior side of tibia)
F: Flexes lateral 4 toes for running, pushing off the ground.
N: Tibial n

Question 16

Flexor Hallucis Longus
A
F
N
What is its unusual route?

Answer 16

A: Posterior fibula–Plantar surface of the great toe.
F: Fles great to “Toe-off phase” –running too.
N: Tibial n.
Under tibia and dig. on interosseus membrane. Tendon goes length of big toe. Dorsal side.

Question 17

Posterior group nerve and Art.

Answer 17

Tibial n.
Posterior tibial art.
Fibular art.

Question 18

Fibularis Longus & Brevis
Longus 
A
Brevis
A

F
N

Answer 18

A:
Longus : Fibula head–Base 1st metatarsal
Brevis: Shaft fibula–5th metatarsal.

F: Eversion of the foot –Longus : and Plantar flexion.
N: Superficial fibular n.

Question 19

Name the muscles of the anterior compartment.
main three functions
nerve

Answer 19

Tibialis anterior m
Exensor hallucis longus m
Extensor digitorum longus m
Peroneus tertius m.

Dorsiflexion!!!!
Extension of the toes
Eversion

Deep fibular n