VH Dissector: Lower Limb: Posterior Leg

Deep Posterior Compartment of the Leg

The boundaries of the deep posterior compartment are the tibia, fibula, and interosseous membrane anteriorly, and the transverse intermuscular septum posteriorly.

Begin with a view of the posterior leg.

STEP 1

Add the tibialis posterior muscle

STEP 2

Add the flexor digitorum longus muscle.

STEP 3

Add the popliteal artery

STEP 4

Add the posterior tibial artery which is the major blood supply of the posterior leg compartment.

STEP 5

Add the fibular artery. Proximally, this artery travels on the surface of the flexor hallucis longus, but then it disappears from view as it dives into the muscle and remains there until it passes through the distal interosseus membrane to anastomose with the anterior tibial artery.

STEP 6

Add the tibial nerve, which innervates the muscles of the posterior compartment. The tibial nerve can be seen at the ankle joint as it travels into the sole of the foot, where it will continue to give innervation.

STEP 7

Add the flexor hallucis longus muscle

STEP 8

Superficial Posterior Compartment

The vessels and nerves of the superficial posterior compartment. There is no artery or nerve traveling in this portion of the posterior compartment. The blood is via the posterior tibial artery and innervation is from the tibial nerve, both of which travel through the compartment on the transverse intermuscular septum.

Add the plantaris muscle

STEP 9

The triceps surae group consists of the two heads of the gastrocnemius and the soleus muscles:

Add the soleus muscle.

STEP 10

Add the Gastrocnemius muscle.

STEP 11

Add the calcaneal tendon

STEP 12

Credits:

VH Dissector steps modified for Drexel Dissector by Dr. Haviva Goldman and Ms. Sophie Geagan (M.D. Student) from original website activity created by Jeffrey Fahl, MD, Kyle Petersen, PhD, Richard Drake, PhD, Alesha Petitt, MA, Claira Ralston, MS and Kim Price, MA and modified by Jeffrey Fahl, MD, Michael Smith, PhD, Albany Medical College.

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