Posterior Superficial Compartment of Leg

Gastrocnemius

gastrocnemius

gastrocnemius proximal attachment

Medial Head:

- Medial femoral condyle, posteriorly

Lateral Head:

- Lateral femoral condyle along its lateral side and into the lateral supracondylar ridge

gastrocnemius distal attachment

Posterior surface of calcaneus via calcaneal tendon

gastrocnemius action

flexes knee and plantarflexes ankle

gastrocnemius innervation

Tibial nerve (S1, S2)

soleus

soleus

soleus proximal attachment

- Fibular head and proximal ¼ of posterior fibular shaft

- Soleal line and medial border of tibia

soleus distal attachment

Posterior surface of calcaneus via calcaneal tendon

soleus action

plantarflexes ankle

soleus innervation

Tibial nerve (S1, S2)

plantaris

plantaris

plantaris proximal attachment

Distal lateral supracondylar line of femur

plantaris distal attachment

Medial border of calcaneal tendon, and thence to the posterior surface of calcaneus

plantaris action

flexes knee, plantarflexes ankle

plantaris innervation

Tibial nerve (S1, S2)

Achilles tendinitis

a painful inflammation of the Achilles tendon caused by excessive stress being placed on that tendon

Bursitis

inflammation of a bursa usually caused by a blow or friction