Superficial Muscles of Posterior Leg

Question 1

Name the muscles found in the superficial compartment of the posterior leg.

Answer 1

Gastrocnemius (two bellies), soleus (deep to gastrocnemius, makes up bulk of calf muscle), plantaris (little muscle near popliteal fossa)

Question 2

What is the action of the gastrocnemius?

Answer 2

Plantarflexion and flexion at knee

Question 3

What is the action of the soleus?

Answer 3

Plantarflexion

Question 4

What is the action of the plantaris?

Answer 4

Weak plantarflexion

Question 5

What are the attachments of the gastrocnemius?

Answer 5

. Lateral head originates from lateral condyle of femur
. Medial head originates from popliteal surface of femur (superior to medial condyle)
. Both heads insert into calcaneus via calcaneal tendon

Question 6

What is another name for the calcaneal tendon?

Answer 6

Achilles tendon

Question 7

What are the attachments of the soleus?

Answer 7

Originates from posterior part of fibular head and soleal line, inserts into calcaneus via calcaneal tendon

Question 8

What are the attachments of the plantaris?

Answer 8

Originates from inferior end of lateral supracondylar line of femur and oblique popliteal ligament, inserts into calcaneus via calcaneal tendon

Question 9

What is the innervation of the superficial posterior leg muscles?

Answer 9

Tibial nerve (L4-S3)

Question 10

What is the innervation of the gastrocnemius?

Answer 10

Tibial nerve

Question 11

What is the innervation of the soleus?

Answer 11

Tibial nerve

Question 12

What is the innervation of the plantaris?

Answer 12

Tibial nerve