Anatomy of the Leg

Practice flashcards covering the osteology and myology of the leg, including bone landmarks, muscle compartments, and neurovascular supply.

Tibia

The second largest and strongest bone in the body, which is the anteromedial and stronger of the two leg bones.

Tibial plateau

The flat articular surface formed by the widening of the medial and lateral condyles at the proximal end of the tibia.

Intercondylar eminence

The structure that separates the articular surfaces of the tibia.

Tibial tuberosity

A projection on the anterior surface of the tibia that serves as the attachment point for the patellar ligament.

Medial malleolus

A projection from the medial aspect of the distal shaft of the tibia that articulates with the talus.

Fibula

A slender, lateral bone of the leg that does not transmit weight and serves primarily for muscle and ligament attachment.

Styloid process (Fibula)

A projection on the upper end of the fibula that provides an attachment for the Biceps femoris tendon and the lateral collateral ligament.

Lateral malleolus

The lower end of the fibula that forms the lateral part of the ankle joint and has a triangular facet for the talus.

Malleolar fossa

A depression located behind the triangular facet on the medial surface of the lateral malleolus of the fibula.

Fascia crura

The deep fascia of the leg that is continuous with the fascia lata of the thigh and attaches to the anterior and medial borders of the tibia.

Interosseous membrane

The structure that divides the anterior compartment from the posterior compartment of the leg.

Anterior compartment

The extensor compartment of the leg containing the Extensor digitorum longus, Extensor hallucis longus, Tibialis anterior, and Peroneus tertius muscles.

Deep peroneal nerve

The nerve arising from the common peroneal nerve that supplies all muscles of the anterior compartment and the extensor digitorum brevis.

Anterior tibial artery

The artery that accompanies the deep peroneal nerve in the anterior compartment of the leg.

Tibialis anterior

An anterior compartment muscle that acts as an invertor and works with other muscles to dorsiflex the foot.

Peroneus/fibularis tertius

An evertor muscle located in the anterior compartment of the leg.

Lateral compartment

The peroneal compartment containing the Peroneus longus and Peroneus brevis muscles.

Superficial peroneal nerve

The nerve that supplies the Peroneus longus and brevis muscles, as well as the skin on the anterior leg and dorsum of the foot.

Posterior compartment

The flexor compartment of the leg, divided into superficial and deep parts by the transverse intermuscular septum.

Triceps surae

A group of powerful plantar flexors in the superficial posterior compartment consisting of the gastrocnemius, plantaris, and soleus.

Gastrocnemius

A muscle that forms the prominence of the calf; its medial head is larger and its contraction produces rapid movement during running and jumping.

Soleus

A broad, flat, multipennate muscle lying deep to the gastrocnemius that maintains posture and performs slower plantar flexion.

Plantaris

A small fusiform muscle with a long slender tendon running between the soleus and gastrocnemius, equivalent to the palmaris longus.

Tendocalcaneus (Achilles tendon)

The shared distal attachment of the gastrocnemius and soleus muscles to the middle of the posterior surface of the calcaneus.

Popliteus

One of the four muscles in the deep posterior compartment, alongside the flexor digitorum longus, flexor hallucis longus, and tibialis posterior.

Tibial nerve

The nerve that supplies both the superficial and deep divisions of the posterior compartment of the leg.