Week 11 - The Posterior Compartment of the Leg

Question 1

What is the general action of the posterior compartment of the leg?

Answer 1

Plantarflexion and inversion of the ankle

Question 2

Which muscles make up the superficial posterior compartment of the leg?

Answer 2

Gastrocnemius
Soleus
Plantaris

Question 3

Which muscles make up triceps surae?

Where do they insert, and what is their tendon called?

Answer 3

Gastrocnemius - both heads
Soleus
Inserts into calceneus as Achilles (calcaneal) tendon

Question 4

What is the action of gastrocnemius?

Answer 4

Plantarflexion at the ankle and flexion at the knee

Question 5

What is the action of soleus muscle?

Answer 5

Plantarflexion

Question 6

What is the action of plantaris?

Answer 6

Aids gastrocnemius in its actions

Question 7

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

Answer 7

Flexor hallucis longus
Flexor digitorum longus
Tibialis posterior
Popliteus

Question 8

What are the nerve roots of the tibial nerve?

Answer 8

L4, L5, S1, S2, S3

Question 9

What are the actions of popliteus?

Answer 9

Laterally rotates the femur on the tibia, unlocking the knee, which allows flexion

Question 10

What is the action of tibialis posterior?

Answer 10

Inverts and plantarflexes foot

Maintains medial arch of foot

Question 11

What are the actions of flexor digitorum longus and flexor hallucis longus?

Answer 11

Flex toes

Question 12

Which structures pass through the tarsal tunnel?

What makes up the roof of the tunnel?

Answer 12

Tendons of FDL, FHL, tibialis posterior
Tibial nerve and tibial artery
Roof = flexor retinaculum

Question 13

Which nerve supplies all the muscles in the posterior compartment of the leg?

Answer 13

Tibial nerve