Week 4 - Popliteal Fossa Posterior Leg

Question 0

What is the role of the fibula?

Answer 0

Attachment site for muscles & aids in stability of ankle joint

Question 1

What is the weight bearing leg bone?

Answer 1

Tibia

Question 2

What is a function of all the posterior compartment muscles? (what do they do to the foot?)

Answer 2

Plantarflex the foot at the ankle.

Question 3

What is the name of the Achilles’ tendon?

Answer 3

Calcaneal tendon - attached to the gastrocnemius

Question 4

Where does the gastrocnemius originate and insert?

Answer 4

It originates on the lateral and medial condyls of the femur and inserts on the posterior surface of the calcaneus (via calcaneal tendon)

Question 5

What innervates the gastrocnemius?

Answer 5

Tibial nerve!

Question 6

What is the function of the gastrocnemius?

Answer 6

strong plantarflexor but it also flexes the knee

Question 7

What is tennis leg?

Answer 7

Rupture of medial head of gastrocnemius caused by a sudden/abrupt change of direction - tears the calf muscle

Question 8

What is the calcaneal tendon reflex?

Answer 8

Ankle jerk! Tests S1 and S2 nerve roots. It causes plantarflexion of the ankle joint. If S1 is compressed, the reflex is absent

Question 9

Where does the soleus originate?

Answer 9

Along soleal line of tibia & fibula & interosseous membrane

Question 10

What is the function of the soleus?

Answer 10

It performs most of the plantarflexion work! -inserts into the calcaneal tendon

Question 11

Where does the plantaris originate?

Answer 11

Lateral condyle of the femur - it sometimes inserts into the calcaneal tendon

Question 12

Where does the popliteus insert and originate?

Answer 12

Originates: tibia, above origin of soleus muscle
Inserts: Lateral femoral condyle (goes between lateral meniscus & fibular collateral ligament)

Question 13

What is the popliteus’ function?

Answer 13

It flexes & unlocks the knee

Question 14

Flexor digitorum longus - where does it insert & what does it do?

Answer 14

Inserts on base of distal phalanges of lateral four digits

-Plantarflexes ankle joint & flexes lateral 4 digits

Question 15

Tibialis Posterior - where does it insert and what does it do?

Answer 15

It inserts into tarsal bones and the base of the metatarsals. It runs along the interosseus membrane.
It plantarflexes the ankle joint & inverts the foot

Question 16

Where does the flexor hallicus longus insert and what does it do?

Answer 16

It inserts onto the distal phalanx of the great toe.

It flexes the big toe.

Question 17

Where does the tibial nerve travel? What does it become in the foot?

Answer 17

Enters post. compartment between heads of gastrocnemius and passes through hiatus in soleus to gain access to deep muscles
Medial and lateral plantar nerves

Question 18

What would happen if the tibial nerve was injured?

Answer 18

Deep laceration or posterior dislocation of knee (serious injury) needed to injure it.
Uncommon but it would cause paralysis of posterior compartment of leg and intrinsic muscles of sole of the foot

Question 19

What is the fibular artery?

Answer 19

A branch of posterior tibial artery that supplies the lateral compartment

Question 20

What is the position of tendons under the flexor retinaculum of the foot?

Answer 20

Tom, Dick and now Harry
Tibialis Posterior, Flexor Digitorum Longus, Posterior Tibial Artery, Tibial Nerve, Flexor Hallicus Longus
-listed anterior to posterior

Question 21

What innervates the posterior compartment of the leg?

Answer 21

Tibial nerve

Question 22

What are the functions of the posterior compartment of the leg?

Answer 22

Flex toes, plantarflexion of ankle, flex knee

Question 23

What is the blood supply to the posterior leg compartment?

Answer 23

Fibular artery

Posterior tibial artery