Anterior & Lateral Leg

What structure unites the tibia and fibula?

Interosseous membrane

Which lower leg bone functions as the most weight bearing bone?

Tibia

What 2 structures does the tibia articulate with (superior/inferior)?

• Superiorly: femoral condyles

• Inferiorly: talus

Which lower leg bone has minimal weight bearing?

Fibula

What 2 structures does the fibula articulate with (superior/inferior)?

• Superiorly: tibia

• Inferiorly: talus

What are the 3 tib/fib articulations associated with (proximal/middle/distal)?

• Proximal → knee

• Middle → interosseous membrane

• Distal → ankle

What structures make up the proximal tib/fib articulation?

• Head of fibula & posterolateral tibia

• Anterior & posterior ligaments of fibular head

What type of joint is the proximal tib/fib?

Plane synovial

What structures make up the middle tib/fib articulation?

• Shafts of tibia & fibula

• Held together by interosseous membrane

What are the 3 main functions of the interosseous?

• Connects tibia & fibula

• Transmit forces across bones

• Separates anterior & deep posterior compartments of leg

What structures make up the distal tib/fib articulation?

• Distal tibia & fibula

• Interosseous membrane

• Tibiofibular ligaments (anterior, interosseous, posterior)

What type of joint is the distal tib/fib?

Fibrous syndesmosis joint

What is contained in the superficial fascia?

• Fat

• Cutaneous nerves

• Veins

• Lymphatics

Where is the deep fascia located?

Between subcutaneous tissue and muscle

What is the function of deep fascia?

Divides leg into 3 compartments (anterior, lateral, posterior)

What is the name of the fascia wrapped around the entire leg?

Crural fascia

What structure of the thigh is continuous with crural fascia?

Fascia lata

What is the main function of the anterior & posterior intermuscular septa?

Connects crural fascia to fibula

What is separated by the anterior intermuscular septum?

Anterior & lateral compartments

What is separated by the posterior intermuscular septum?

Lateral and posterior compartments

What is separated by the transverse intermuscular septum?

Deep posterior and superficial posterior compartments

What muscles are found in the anterior compartment?

• Tibialis anterior

• Extensor digitorum longus

• Extensor hallucis longus

• Fibularis tertius

What nerve is found in the anterior compartment?

Deep fibular (branch off of common fibular)

What artery is found in the anterior compartment?

Anterior tibial artery

Where is the sensation innervation for deep fibular nerve?

1st web space

Where does the anterior tibial artery originate from?

Popliteal artery

Where does the anterior tibial artery pass through?

Gap in interosseous membrane

What structure does the anterior tibial artery travel with?

Deep fibular nerve

When does the anterior tibial artery change names and what does it become?

• As it enters dorsum of foot

• Becomes dorsalis pedis artery

What muscles are found in the lateral compartment?

• Fibularis Longus

• Fibularis brevis

What nerve is found in the lateral compartment?

Superficial fibular

Where is the sensation innervation for superficial fibular nerve?

Anterior leg & dorsum of foot (except 1st webspace)

What arteries supply the lateral compartment?

• Anterior tibial artery

• Fibular artery (branch of posterior tibial)

Are the anterior tibial and fibular arteries found in the lateral compartment?

NO

What structure do the fibularis longus and fibularis brevis pass beneath?

Superior & inferior fibular retinaculum

What is the superior vascular supply of the lateral compartment?

Perforating branches of anterior tibial artery

What is the inferior vascular supply of the lateral compartment?

Perforating branches of fibular artery

Where would you check pulse & sensation if anterior compartment syndrome is suspected?

• Pulse: Dorsalis pedis

• Sensation: Deep fibular

Where would you check pulse & sensation if lateral compartment syndrome is suspected?

• Pulse: Posterior Tibial

• Sensation: Superficial fibular