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University of Connecticut School of Medicine Human Anatomy Module

Learn: Leg

ANTERIOR COMPARTMENT MUSCLES

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     Tibialis anterior muscle

Origin Lateral surface of tibia and adjacent interosseous membrane
Insertion Medial and inferior surfaces of medial cuneiform and adjacent surfaces on base of metatarsal I
Innervation Deep fibular nerve
Artery Anterior tibial artery
Action Dorsiflexion of foot at ankle joint; inversion of foot; dynamic support of medial arch of foot
Tibialis anterior muscle

     Extensor digitorum longus muscle

Origin Proximal one-half of medial surface of fibula, lateral condyle of tibia
Insertion Via dorsal digital expansions into bases of distal and middle phalanges of lateral four toes
Innervation Deep fibular nerve
Artery Anterior tibial artery
Action Extension of lateral four toes and dorsiflexion of foot
Psoas major muscle

     Extensor hallucis longus muscle

Origin Middle 1/2 of medial surface of fibula and adjacent surface of interosseous membrane
Insertion Dorsal surface of base of distal phalanx of great toe
Innervation Deep fibular nerve
Artery Anterior tibial artery
Action Extends great toe, dorsiflexes foot
Extensor hallucis longus muscle

     Fibularis tertius muscle

Origin Distal part of medial surface of fibula
Insertion Base of metatarsal V (dorsomedial surface)
Innervation Deep fibular nerve
Artery Anterior tibial artery
Action Dorsiflexion and eversion of foot
Fibularis tertius muscle

LATERAL COMPARTMENT MUSCLES

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     Fibularis longus muscle

Origin Head of fibula, superior two thirds of lateral surface of fibula
Insertion Base of first metatarsal and medial cuneiform
Innervation Superficial fibular nerve
Artery Anterior tibial artery, fibular artery
Action Eversion and plantarflexion of foot
Fibularis longus muscle

     Fibularis brevis muscle

Origin Lower two-thirds of lateral surface of shaft of fibula
Insertion Lateral tubercle at base of metatarsal V
Innervation Superficial fibular nerve
Artery Fibular artery
Action Eversion of foot
Fibularis brevis muscle

POSTERIOR COMPARTMENT - SUPERFICIAL MUSCLES

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     Gastrocnemius muscle

Origin Medial head-posterior surface of distal femur just superior to medial condyle; lateral head-upper posterolateral surface of lateral femoral condyle
Insertion Via calcaneal tendon, to posterior surface of calcaneus
Innervation Tibial nerve
Artery Popliteal artery
Action Plantarflexes foot and flexes knee
Gastrocnemius muscle

     Soleus muscle

Origin Soleal line and medial border of tibia; posterior aspect of fibular head and superior part of posterior surface of fibula; tendinous arch between tibial and fibular attachments
Insertion Posterior surface of calcaneus via calcaneal tendon
Innervation Tibial nerve
Artery Posterior tibial artery, fibular artery
Action Plantarflexes the foot
Soleus muscle

     Plantaris muscle

Origin Inferior part of lateral supracondylar line of femur, oblique popliteal ligament of knee
Insertion Posterior surface of calcaneus via calcaneal tendon
Innervation Tibial nerve
Artery Popliteal artery
Action Plantarflexes foot and flexes knee
Plantaris muscle

POSTERIOR COMPARTMENT - DEEP MUSCLES

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     Popliteus muscle

Origin Lateral condyle of femur
Insertion Posterior surface of proximal tibia
Innervation Tibial nerve
Artery Popliteal artery, posterior tibial artery
Action Stabilizes knee joint (resists lateral rotation of tibia on femur), unlocks knee joint (laterally rotates femur on fixed tibia)
Popliteus muscle

     Flexor hallucis longus muscle

Origin Posterior surface of fibula and adjacent interosseous membrane
Insertion Plantar surface of distal phalanx of great toe
Innervation Tibial nerve
Artery Fibular artery, posterior tibial artery
Action Flexes great toe
Flexor hallucis longus  muscle

     Flexor digitorum longus muscle

Origin Medial side of posterior surface of the tibia
Insertion Plantar surfaces of bases of distal phalanges of the lateral four toes
Innervation Tibial nerve
Artery Posterior tibial artery
Action Flexes lateral four toes
Adductor magnus muscle

     Tibialis posterior muscle

Origin Posterior surfaces of interosseous membrane and adjacent regions of tibia and fibula
Insertion Tuberosity of navicular and adjacent region of medial cuneiform
Innervation Tibial nerve
Artery Posterior tibial artery, fibular artery
Action Inversion and plantarflexion of foot; support of medial arch of foot during walking
Tibialis posterior muscle

Nerves

  1. Sciatic nerve splits into tibial nerve and common fibular nerve proximal to the knee (although this split sometimes occurs earlier within the pelvis)
  2. Tibial nerve
    1. Travels deep to soleus muscle
    2. Innervates muscles in posterior compartment of leg:
      1. Gastrocnemius
      2. Soleus
      3. Plantaris
      4. Popliteus
      5. Flexor hallucis longus
      6. Flexor digitorum longus
      7. Tibialis posterior
  3. Common fibular nerve
    1. Bifurcates just after passing fibular head into superficial fibular nerve and deep fibular nerve
      1. Superficial fibular nerve
        1. Travels down lateral compartment of leg and continues to anterior compartment of leg after piercing deep fascia
        2. Motor innervation:
          1. Fibularis longus muscle
          2. Fibularis brevis muscle
        3. Cutaneous innervation to anterolateral leg and dorsum of foot
      2. Deep fibular nerve
        1. Travels down anterior compartment of leg to dorsum of foot
        2. Motor innervation to:
          1. Anterior compartment of leg
            1. Tibialis anterior muscle
            2. Extensor digitorum muscle
            3. Extensor hallucis longus muscle
            4. Fibularis tertius muscle
          2. Foot
            1. Extensor digitorum brevis
            2. Extensor hallucis brevis
        3. Cutaneous innervation to skin between first and second toe

Arteries

  • Femoral artery becomes popliteal artery after passing adductor hiatus
  • Popliteal artery divides into anterior tibial artery and posterior tibial artery at inferior border of popliteus muscle
    • Anterior tibial artery
      • Becomes dorsalis pedis artery
    • Posterior tibial artery
      • Supplies posterior compartment of leg and foot
      • Gives rise to fibular artery

Quiz

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