The Posterior Leg

Question 1

What is the posterior compartment of the leg?

Answer 1

Largest of the 3 compartments.

The muscles in the posterior leg are divided into a superficial and a deep group.

Question 2

What is the gastrocnemius powerful?

Answer 2

Two-headed muscle which plantarflexes the ankle and is essential for a walking gait.

Question 3

Which nerve innervates gastrocnemius?

Answer 3

Tibial nerve (S1, S2)

Question 4

What is the function of the small muscle with its very long tendon, plantaris?

Answer 4

Foot plantar flexion and knee flexion

Question 5

Answer 5

Question 6

Answer 6

Question 7

What is the achilles tendon?

Answer 7

Strong terminal attachment of gastrocnemius, passing down to insert onto the posterior aspect of the calcaneus bone.

Question 8

Name these

This is the deep compartment

Answer 8

1- Popliteus

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

Question 9

Where do the deep muscles of the posterior leg pass?

Answer 9

These muscles must pass to the sole of the foot, but do not travel around the calcaneus, where they would be compressed.

Rather they pass medially to enter through the ‘door to the foot’, posterior to the medial malleolus, covered by the flexor retinaculum

These muscles flex the toes and/or the ankle

Question 10

Which nerve and vessel accompany these 3 muscle tendons through the ‘door to the foot’?

Answer 10

1. Posterior Tibial nerve 2. Posterior tibial artery