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The superficial part of the posterior compartment of the leg is made up of three muscles:
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The deepest layer of muscles includes the:
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The muscles of the posterior compartment of the leg are all supplied by the tibial nerve. | ![]() |
The posterior tibial artery supplies the tissues of the posterior compartment of the leg. It is one of the terminal branches of the popliteal artery. | ![]() |
Superficial Group | ||||
Muscle | Origin | Insertion | Action | Nerve Supply |
gastrocnemius | medial and lateral condyles of femur | calcaneum | plantar flexes (flexes) foot; flexes knee | tibial nerve |
plantaris | lateral supracondylar ridge of femur |
calcaneum | plantar flexes foot; flexes knee | tibial nerve |
soleus | shafts of tibia and fibula | calcaneum | with gastrocnemius, a powerful plantar flexor of ankle; main propulsive force in walking and running |
tibial nerve |
Deep Group | ||||
Muscle | Origin | Insertion | Action | Nerve Supply |
flexor digitorum longus | shaft of tibia | distal phalanges of lateral four toes | flexes distal phalanges of lateral four toes; plantar flexes foot; supports lateral longitudinal arch of foot |
tibial nerve |
flexor hallucis longus | shaft of fibula | base of distal phalanx of big toe | flexes distal phalanx of big toe; plantar flexes foot; supports medial longitudinal arch of foot |
tibial nerve |
tibialis posterior | shafts of tibia and fibula and interosseous membrane | tuberosity of navicular bone | plantar flexes foot; inverts foot at subtalar and transverse tarsal joints; supports medial longitudinal arch of foot | tibial nerve |
Lateral Compartment of the Leg![]() |
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Lower Limb Bones | Anterior Thigh | Medial Thigh | Gluteal Region | Posterior Thigh | Anterior Leg and Dorsal Foot | Lateral Leg | Posterior Leg | Sole of the Foot | Ankle | Joints of the Lower Limb | Summary of Items in the Lower Limb | Radiographs of the Lower Limb | Table of Muscles |
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This is copyrighted©1999 by Wesley Norman, PhD, DSc |