The Posterior Leg

Question 1

Name the superficial group of muscles of the posterior leg.

Answer 1

• gastrocnemius
• soleus
• plantaris

Question 2

what are the actions of the gastrocnemius muscle?

Answer 2

• plantarflexion at ankle joint
• flexion at knee joint

Question 3

what is the action of the soleus muscle?

Answer 3

plantarflexion of the foot at the ankle joint

Question 4

what is the action of the plantaris muscle?

Answer 4

contributes to plantarflexion at the ankle joint and flexion at the knee joint

Question 5

There are three muscles within the superficial compartment of the posterior leg. They all insert onto the calcaneus (heel bone) of the foot, via the?

Answer 5

Achilles/calcaneal tendon

Question 6

Answer 6

Question 7

which muscles make up the deep compartment of the posterior leg?

Answer 7

1. popliteus
2. flexor hallicus longus
3. tibialis posterior
4. flexor digitorum longus

Question 8

do the deep muscles of the posterior leg travel around the calcaneus?

Answer 8

• No, they would get compressed.
• Rather they pass medially to enter through the ‘door to the foot’, posterior to the medial malleolus, covered by the flexor retinaculum

Question 9

which nerve and vessel accompany these three muscle tendons through the ‘door to the foot’?

Answer 9

1. tibial nerve
2. posterior tibial artery

Question 10

what is the action of the popliteus muscle?

Answer 10

• lateral rotation of the femur relative to the tibia. This unlocks the knee joint so that flexion can occur.

Question 11

what is the action of the flexor digitorum longus?

Answer 11

flexion of thelateral four toes

Question 12

what is the action of the flexor hallicus longus?

Answer 12

flexion of the great toe

Question 13

what is the action of the tibialis posterior?

Answer 13

• inversion and plantarflexion of the foot
• also contibutes to the medial arch of the foot