Lateral Compartment of the Leg and Medial Side of the leg

Question 1

State the points of attachment of the superior fibular retinaculum.

Answer 1

Anteriorly: The posterior aspect of the lateral malleolus

Posteriorly: Lateral aspect of the calcaneus and deep fascia of the leg
[Diagram]

Question 2

Describe the origin of fibularis longus (3).

Answer 2

1. upper 2/3 of the lateral surface of the fibula
2. head of fibula
3. anterior and posterior intermuscular septae of the leg

Question 3

Where does fibularis longus insert?

Answer 3

Inferolateral surface of the base of the first metatarsal bone and the adjoining surface of the medial cuneiform bone.

Question 4

Which muscle is the chief evertor of the foot?

Answer 4

Fibularis longus

Question 5

Which is the main nerve that innervates the lateral compartment of the leg? State its root values and whether the nerve fibres arise from ventral rami or dorsal rami.

Answer 5

1. Superficial fibular nerve
2. L5, S1
3. It arises from primary ventral rami

Question 6

State 3 functions of fibularis longus.

Answer 6

1. It is the chief evertor of the foot. [Diagram: eversion and inversion]
2. It maintains the lateral longitudinal and transverse longitudinal arches of the foot.
3. It is a weak plantar flexor of the foot.
4. [Diagram: fibularis longus and tibialis anterior]

Question 7

State the four boundaries of the lateral compartment of the leg.

Answer 7

Anteriorly: anterior intermuscular septum
Posteriorly: posterior intermuscular septum
Medially: lateral surface of the fibula
Laterally: deep fascia of the leg

Question 8

Describe the origin of fibularis brevis (2).

Answer 8

1. Lower 2/3 of the lateral surface of the shaft of the fibula.
2. The anterior and posterior intermuscular septa of the leg.

Question 9

State the insertion of fibularis brevis.

Answer 9

It inserts on the lateral side of the base of the fifth metatarsal bone.
Alternatively: It inserts on the tubercle of the 5th metatarsal

Question 10

State two functions of fibularis brevis.

Answer 10

1. Eversion of the foot
2. Weak plantar flexor of the foot

Question 11

Name the nerve that supplies the skin of the medial side of the big toe.

Answer 11

The medial terminal branch of the superificial fibular nerve

Question 12

Which nerve supplies the skin of the second interdigital cleft of the foot.

Answer 12

The medial terminal branch of the superficial fibular nerve

Question 13

Which nerve supplies the skin of the third and fourth interdigital clefts of the foot.

Answer 13

The lateral terminal branch of the superficial fibular nerve

Question 14

Name the bursa that separates the tendons of sartorius, gracilis and semitendinosus at their point of attachments on the tibia.

Answer 14

Anserine bursa

Question 15

Which is the main artery of the lateral compartment of the leg, and from which artery does it branch?

Answer 15

1. Fibular artery
2. It branches from the posterior tibial artery

Question 16

Describe the venous drainage of the leg (6 marks).

Answer 16

Superficial veins (3 marks)
~ Great saphenous vein on the medial aspect, terminates into the femoral vein
~ Small saphenous vein on the lateral aspect, terminates into the popliteal vein
~ Superficial veins connect to deep veins via perforators
Deep veins (3 marks)
~ Anterior tibial venae commitantes drain the anterior compartment
~ Posterior tibial venae commitantes drain the posterior and lateral compartments
~ Both join to form the popliteal vein

Question 17

[10-minute video]: Anatomy of the Common Peroneal nerve, Superficial Peroneal nerve, Deep Peroneal nerve

Answer 17

😎